European electricity network operators are calling for tighter and more coordinated protection of transmission infrastructure as cyberattacks, physical sabotage and cross-border disruption become larger risks for an increasingly interconnected power system.
ENTSO-E said offshore and subsea infrastructure requires particular attention as Europe expands interconnectors and offshore renewable generation. It wants a regional framework covering monitoring, protection and restoration of critical assets, alongside more consistent penalties for deliberate interference with energy infrastructure.
The organisation is also seeking faster mechanisms for moving replacement equipment, network components and specialist teams across borders during emergencies, arguing that procurement and administrative procedures can slow recovery from major incidents.
ENTSO-E has proposed a Europe-wide electricity system risk assessment to identify vulnerable assets and guide investment. Minimum security standards would cover physical protection, redundancy, backup capacity, emergency preparedness and restoration capability.
It also wants responsibilities between transmission system operators and national authorities more clearly defined in areas including threat detection, crisis management and post-incident recovery.
Security spending should be recognised as a normal network cost, ENTSO-E said, with European Union financing potentially used to support physical and cyber-protection measures.
The proposals reflect concern that Europe’s more digitalised and interconnected electricity system is becoming simultaneously more important to the economy and more exposed to disruption.
