Lithuanian lawmakers on Tuesday adopted legislation intended to block Chinese companies from getting remote access to the control systems of solar and wind farms and batteries larger than 100 kW.
Seventy-nine MPs voted in favour of the amendments to the Law on Electricity, drafted by the Energy Ministry, there was one vote against and six abstentions.
The changes will enter into force on May 1, 2025.
According to the ministry, there are currently more than 1,000 solar and wind farms larger than 100 kW in Lithuania and there are also several batteries of the same capacity, and some of their control systems are Chinese-made and remote-controlled.
Presenting the amendments to the Seimas in October, Energy Vice Minister Inga Žilienė said the legislation was meant to reduce the risks and threats to the operation of the electricity system, which could be disrupted by the remote use of equipment produced by “hostile countries”.
According to the ministry, Chinese equipment will not be banned in wind and solar farms, nor will there be a requirement to scrap the equipment already installed, but the operators of the power plants that have it will have to put in place additional safeguards to ensure cyber security.
China is among the countries which, according to Lithuania’s National Security Strategy, pose a threat to Lithuania’s national security and national security interests.
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