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10 December

Cybersecurity in power: supply chain most vulnerable, varying confidence in resilience

Credit: vectorfusionart/Shutterstock.com

A new industry survey reveals that the supply chain is the biggest cyber weak spot for the power sector. This is in line with a 2024 report that recorded 29% of cybersecurity breaches at energy companies across the world originating from third-party vendors, 67% of which were due to software and IT vendors. Experts say malicious actors exploit software vulnerabilities to gain access to devices, map the grid, then disrupt it. In addition to the supply chain, respondents indicated that AI-driven cyberattacks and the expansion of distributed energy resources are the most concerning emerging threats for the sector. Meanwhile, they expressed concern for IT and OT systems becoming more vulnerable due to increased IT/OT convergence, which has expanded the attack surface. 

The survey also reveals a fragmented landscape of readiness, with respondents reporting varying levels of implementation and testing of cybersecurity measures at their company alongside uneven  degrees of confidence in their organisation’s ability to recover from cyberattacks. With geopolitical tensions and the growing complexity of digitalised power systems, industry professionals pointed to increasing information sharing and collaboration, growing a digitally skilled workforce, and integrating AI into cybersecurity practices as the top three priorities to move forward. 

3 December

EDF weighs US renewables exit

EDF is considering selling its entire US renewable energy division to focus on its domestic nuclear operation, according to its CEO Bernard Fontana.

The company previously booked a $1bn (€857.54m) impairment on its Atlantic Shores offshore wind farm joint venture with Shell off the coast of New Jersey after US President Trump issued a moratorium on new wind development.

Fontana said EDF is contemplating selling “anywhere from 50 to 100%” of its US renewable energy portfolio, a change to the previous strategy which envisaged divesting a minority interest. A 50% share is estimated to be worth around $2.3bn. EDF has appointed investment bank Nomura to identify potential buyers for up to 49%.

EDF has been looking to generate revenue to support the construction of six additional nuclear reactors in France as it faces a net debt of €50bn. The move comes as a French Court of Auditors report highlights mounting maintenance costs, lower fleet availability and the need for tighter oversight of EDF’s Grand Carénage nuclear upgrade programme.

24 November

First Solar opens AI-enabled solar manufacturing facility in Louisiana

First Solar has opened its new AI-enabled solar manufacturing facility in Iberia Parish, Louisiana. The fully vertically integrated $1.1bn facility spans roughly 2.4 million square feet and uses advanced AI technologies in its manufacturing processes to automatically detect defects in solar panels during production. 

The company said that production at the Louisiana facility began in July 2025, several months ahead of schedule. It attributed the accelerated timeline to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and trade policies enacted during the Trump administration, which increased demand for American-made solar technology compliant with anticipated Foreign Entities of Concern guidance.

The facility manufactures First Solar’s Series 7 modules using domestically sourced materials, including glass from Illinois and Ohio and steel produced in Mississippi and fabricated into back rails in Louisiana. 

Once fully operational, the facility will add 3.5GW of annual nameplate capacity, expanding First Solar’s total American manufacturing footprint to 14GW in 2026 and 17.7GW in 2027.   

21 November

Danish Energy Agency launches offshore wind tenders for 2.8GW capacity

The Danish Energy Agency has launched offshore wind tenders, offering three areas – North Sea Mid, Hesselø in the Kattegat and North Sea South – for the development of at least 2.8GW of offshore wind capacity.

The tenders introduce state subsidies and increased flexibility for developers to encourage qualified bids. They are structured around a two-sided, capability-based contract for difference scheme, under which the state guarantees wind producers a fixed electricity price. The agency has set a payment cap of DKr55.2bn ($8.54bn), including VAT, for the state.

Sustainability and social responsibility requirements are integral to the tenders, including stipulations regarding the recyclability of turbine blades and a nature-inclusive design mandate for the Hesselø project. The winning bidder will also be required to prove compliance with cybersecurity regulations.

These build on 2024’s offshore wind tenders, in which six areas were offered but no bids were received by the deadline for the first three areas. The submission deadline for North Sea Mid and Hesselø is set for early 2026 and late 2028 for North Sea South.

26 November

Vikram Solar commissions 5GW solar module manufacturing plant in India

Vikram Solar has commissioned its new manufacturing facility in Vallam in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, increasing its advanced module production capacity by 5GW. This expansion brings Vikram’s total manufacturing capacity to 9.5GW, strengthening its position in automated solar module manufacturing in India.

Covering an area of 27,000m², the Vallam solar module manufacturing plant represents a major technological leap for India’s clean energy sector.

The facility incorporates next-generation automation, intelligent robotics, advanced material-handling systems and built-in quality checks. The automation at Vallam will enhance manufacturing precision, increase throughput and improve process reliability. The plant is built on TOPCon technology and is compatible with M10, G12, and G12R formats, highlighting Vikram’s focus on futureproof technology.

Modules produced at the facility will be distributed throughout India, serving utility-scale developers, commercial and industrial customers and distributed generation projects as India progresses towards its renewable energy targets.