=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=Vol-3925/paper06
|storemode=property
|title=Ecological disasters as a result of cyber attacks in the energy sector
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3925/paper06.pdf
|volume=Vol-3925
|authors=Alina Prokopieva,Lesya Pobochenko,Tetiana Smirnova,Inna Nabok,Natalia Tatarenko,Kateryna Sydorenko
|dblpUrl=https://dblp.org/rec/conf/cmigin/ProkopievaPSNTS24
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==Ecological disasters as a result of cyber attacks in the energy sector==
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3925/paper06.pdf
Ecological disasters as a result of cyber attacks in the
energy sector
Alina Prokopieva1,∗,†, Lesya Pobochenko1,†, Tetiana Smirnova1,†, Inna Nabok1,†, Natalia
Tatarenko1,† and Kateryna Sydorenko1,†
1
National Aviation University, Liubomyra Huzara Ave. 1, Kyiv, 03058, Ukraine
Abstract
The increasing reliance on digital infrastructure in the energy sector has made it vulnerable to cyber attacks,
with potential far-reaching consequences. This article explores the link between cyber attacks and
ecological disasters in the energy industry. The article discusses the ecological aspects of ensuring Ukraine's
energy security. The author emphasizes the importance of reducing emissions into the atmosphere and
developing renewable energy to ensure sustainable and safe operation of the country's energy sector. The
development of research and innovation, environmental impact control, and infrastructure development
support are also key aspects of achieving this goal. Ukraine has significant potential for the development
of renewable energy, which can become an additional source of income for the local population and
contribute to the country's economic development. The article notes that reducing dependence on imported
energy resources is a key aspect of ensuring the country's energy security. Developing its own energy
resources and diversifying their types can significantly reduce risks to the economy and national security.
The article emphasizes the need to increase energy efficiency and implement energy-saving technologies
as one of the key means of ensuring energy security. Energy efficiency is an important component of
economic efficiency and ensures the environmental friendliness of production. Overall, the article reflects
the importance of smart and sustainable development of Ukraine's energy sector, taking into account
environmental aspects. The development of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies can help
reduce dependence on imports and ensure the safety and sustainability of the country's economic
development while reducing its impact on the environment. The article highlights the problems that stand
in the way of achieving this goal. In particular, this includes a high dependence on coal energy and an
outdated energy sector infrastructure. The author notes that these problems can be addressed through the
development of renewable energy and infrastructure modernization, which requires significant investment
and state support. Other problems mentioned in the article include corruption schemes, inadequate legal
framework, and insufficient attention to environmental impact. The author calls for the implementation of
effective measures to address these issues and create conditions for the sustainable development of the
country's energy sector. The work is a theoretical study of the ecological aspects of ensuring energy
security. The article discusses the experience of European Union countries in using renewable energy
sources as a more environmentally friendly and safer means to ensure the energy security of the state.
Keywords
ecology, ecological disasters, vulnerabilities, critical infrastructure, power grids, cybersecurity measures,
renewable energy, environmental contamination, ransomware, mitigation strategies 1
1. Introduction
The series of shocks in 2022, including the war in Ukraine, created favorable conditions for the
increased activity of numerous cybercriminals. For months, perpetrators targeted government
institutions, hospitals, cryptocurrency companies, industrial enterprises, critical infrastructure
CH&CMiGIN’24: Third International Conference on Cyber Hygiene & Conflict Management in Global Information Networks,
January 24–27, 2024, Kyiv, Ukraine
∗
Corresponding author.
†
These authors contributed equally.
prokopieva.alina@npp.nau.edu.ua (A. Prokopieva); lesia.pobochenko@npp.nau.edu.ua (L. Pobochenko);
t.smirn@gmail.com (T. Smirnova); inna.nabok@npp.nau.edu.ua (I. Nabok); tatarenko.natalia@npp.nau.edu.ua (N.
Tatarenko); kateryna.sydorenko@npp.nau.edu.ua (K. Sydorenko)
0000-001-6745-0485 (A. Prokopieva); 0000-0002-3094-6417 (L. Pobochenko); 0000-0001-6896-0612 (T. Smirnova); 0000-
0002-3640-9823 (I. Nabok); 0000-0002-8811-3012 (N. Tatarenko); 0000-0003-3231-2247 (K. Sydorenko)
© 2025 Copyright for this paper by its authors. Use permitted under Creative Commons License Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
CEUR
ceur-ws.org
Workshop ISSN 1613-0073
Proceedings
entities, and many other organizations. The cost of data breaches escalated to 4.4 million US dollars,
and the success achieved will likely spur cybercriminals to even greater activity in 2023 [1, 2].
The critical infrastructure of Ukraine once again fell victim to cybercriminals, particularly during
the initial stages of the extensive Russian invasion. ESET researchers collaborated closely with
CERT-UA to counter an attack aimed at the country's energy supply system, utilizing malicious
software designed for information destruction.
The threat was orchestrated by the cybercriminal group Sandworm, attempting to deploy the
malware, Industroyer2, on high-voltage electrical substations. Named after a threat previously used
to cut off electricity in Ukraine in 2016, this time, the program was combined with a new version of
the CaddyWiper threat to obliterate information. This tactic likely aimed to conceal the group's
traces, delaying response and recovery efforts for energy company operators [3, 4].
CaddyWiper was not the sole tool for data destruction identified in Ukraine just before or in the
early weeks of the Russian invasion. On February 23, 2022, ESET telemetry detected another threat
with similar functionality named HermeticWiper on hundreds of machines across multiple
organizations in Ukraine. The following day witnessed a second destructive attack on the Ukrainian
government network using IsaacWiper, emphasizing the intensification of information destruction
threats.
Approximately an hour before the Russian invasion, a massive cyber attack targeted the
commercial satellite provider Viasat, causing disruptions in Internet access for thousands of people
in Ukraine and even in other European countries. The attack, using a misconfigured VPN device to
access the satellite network's management section, was believed to have aimed at impairing the
communication capabilities of the Ukrainian command in the initial hours of the invasion. However,
its repercussions extended well beyond Ukraine's borders.
Russian hackers have invested significant efforts in disrupting the normal operations of critical
infrastructure in Ukraine, particularly in the energy and financial sectors, as well as in the provision
of government services.
According to the State Special Communications Service and Information Protection of Ukraine,
which regularly provides data in response to inquiries, occupiers made nearly 800 attempts to
infiltrate Ukrainian networks during the first four months of the full-scale war. The primary targets
of these attacks were government and local authorities, the security and defense sector, the financial
industry, commercial organizations, and the energy sector. Cybercriminals also inflicted damage on
transportation infrastructure and telecommunications. Notably, on June 6, 2023, a cyber attack
occurred during the sabotage of the Kakhovska Hydroelectric Power Station, resulting in a global
environmental catastrophe in Europe.
Ukraine, like many other countries in the world, constantly faces challenges related to energy
security. One important aspect of ensuring this security is the environmental impact. Climate
change, air and water pollution, soil contamination, and their impact on human and animal health
are just a few of the problems that arise from energy production and consumption.
One of the main environmental security problems in the energy sector is the use of coal as a fuel.
Ukraine has significant reserves of coal and other minerals, but its use is accompanied by air and
water pollution, which has a negative impact on human health and the environment. One way to
reduce the impact of coal-based energy is to transition to alternative sources such as wind and solar
power.
Furthermore, energy efficiency is an important element of ensuring environmental security in
the energy sector. Ukraine has significant potential for reducing energy costs by increasing efficiency
in construction, industry, and transportation. It is also important to consider energy efficiency in the
development and implementation of new technologies and equipment.
Another environmental aspect of ensuring energy security is protecting biodiversity and
preserving ecosystems. The development of the energy sector can have a negative impact on natural
ecosystems and biodiversity, so it is important to consider these aspects in the planning and
development of energy projects.
Overall, ensuring environmental security in the energy sector is an important component of
ensuring energy security in Ukraine as a whole. The development of ecological energy in your article
can help reduce the negative impact of the energy sector on the environment and increase the level
of energy security. The National Strategy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Development
until 2035, approved in 2019, identifies the main directions for the development of ecological energy
in Ukraine and contains specific goals and tasks for ensuring the sustainable development of the
energy sector.
Among the numerous crises that have caused instability in the world in 2022, special attention is
focused on the energy and environmental crisis. Due to high prices and supply problems caused by
the cooling of relations with Russia, energy security is at the top of the agenda for leading countries
worldwide. Environmental hazards are also a major concern as they pose a serious threat to human
life and health [5].
At the same time, governments of most countries are increasingly recognizing the growing role
of renewable energy sources in ensuring energy and environmental security. The Russian aggression
against Ukraine has led to an unprecedented global energy crisis. To protect consumers from rising
energy prices, many countries are attempting to reduce their dependence on Russian energy
resources by implementing a policy of accelerated transition to carbon-free technologies.
Transitioning to renewable energy sources provides significant potential for reducing prices and
dependence on fossil fuels in both the short and long term.
2. Related paper analysis
This work is a theoretical study of the ecological aspects of ensuring energy security. An analysis of
recent research and publications shows that until recently, only the peculiarities of ensuring energy
security and environmental safety at the level of individual states were considered in scientific
research. Researchers such as V. Barannik, S. Bevz, Y. Bobrov, M. Brown, D. Voloshin, H. de Vries,
D. van Vuren, I. Haydutskyi, I. Haliuk, M. Hnatiuk, G. Grenenberg, K. Denchev, G. Jewell, D. Jonsson,
O. Dzioba, Y. Dzyadykevych, L. Yefimtseva, O. Zakrevskyi, I. Zaremba, M. Zemlyanyi, B. Johannsson,
O. Kalinichenko, O. Kyrylenko, Y. Kolesnyk, Y. Kryzhanivskyi, B. Kruit, V. Ksyonzhenko, A. Lesiuk,
V. Loiko, K. Markevych, O. Melnychenko, A. Mensson, V. Mykytenko, O. Mykolyuk, V. Omelchenko,
F. Orekhchyni, A. Prokip, O. Romashko, V. Saprikin, V. Svitlychna, A. Sukhorukov, V. Rubanka, B.
Sovakul, N. Stuchynska, I. Khilchevska, A. Cherp, I. Shvedziak-Bork, A. Shevtsov, and B. Yanishen
have paid increased attention to national energy and environmental security issues [6–13].
The identification of previously unresolved parts of the general problem is also evident. Issues
related to increasing energy efficiency do not address environmental aspects. Despite the importance
of ensuring the environmental component of enterprise energy security, there is no consensus
among theorists and practitioners today regarding its essence. Most scientific papers focus on
ensuring the energy security of the state and the separate ecological component. Moreover, there are
currently no comprehensive methodologies for assessing the energy and environmental security of
the state. Accordingly, many issues related to ensuring the environmental component of the state's
energy security, both theoretical and applied, remain unresolved.
3. Concept problems
Energy security and ecological security are interrelated aspects, as the energy sector is one of the
most polluting sectors of the economy. The main conceptual problem is that ensuring energy
security is often given priority over ecological security, which leads to negative consequences for
the environment, human health, and the economy as a whole.
Another conceptual problem is the lack of a unified terminology and methodology for assessing
the ecological component of energy security. Many studies are devoted to ensuring the energy
security of a country and its individual components, but insufficient attention is paid to assessing
the impact on the environment. It is important to address this issue to ensure sustainable
development and preservation of natural resources for future generations.
Additionally, one of the conceptual problems is the lack of interaction between different sectors
of the economy related to energy. For example, energy conservation issues in construction,
transportation, and industry should be considered together with energy policy. Such interaction can
lead to a reduction in energy consumption and a reduction in emissions of harmful substances into
the atmosphere.
Moreover, the lack of comprehensive methodologies for assessing the ecological component of a
country's energy security complicates the determination of its level and the development of effective
measures to improve the ecological security of the energy system. It is necessary to develop new
methods and tools for assessing the ecological component of energy security, which would take into
account not only the impact of energy technologies on the environment but also their social and
economic efficiency. The article discusses the experience of European Union countries in using
renewable energy sources as a more environmentally friendly and safer means to ensure the energy
security of the state.
Another conceptual problem of the ecological aspects of energy security is the need to ensure
effective cooperation between different sectors of the economy, namely energy, transportation,
industry, agriculture, and others.
In particular, the issue of reducing emissions of harmful substances into the air requires
coordination of efforts between different sectors of the economy. For example, the development of
public transport and the use of environmentally friendly fuels can significantly reduce emissions
from the transportation sector. Similarly, the use of renewable energy sources can reduce emissions
from the energy sector.
In conclusion, ensuring energy security and ecological security are interconnected and should be
addressed together. It is essential to develop comprehensive methodologies and tools for assessing
the ecological component of energy security, as well as to promote effective cooperation between
different sectors of the economy to reduce emissions of harmful substances and achieve sustainable
development.
4. Results
The concept of sustainable development involves meeting human needs while preserving natural
resources and ecosystem services for future generations. This means that society should have access
to resources that do not destroy natural systems and maintain their integrity and stability. In 1987,
the Brundtland Report defined sustainable development as a process that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Today,
sustainable development aims at economic and social development, as well as environmental
protection for future generations. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly in 2015, contain 17 goals that address global issues such as poverty,
inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation. The concept of sustainable development
is related to the concept of sustainability, which describes many ways to achieve a more sustainable
world in the future.
Sustainable development requires six key abilities, namely:
1. Integrated thinking: this means understanding the interdependence between the economy,
social issues, and the environment, and solving problems while maintaining this balance.
2. Risk management: it is necessary to know the risks that may arise from our actions and develop
strategies to prevent their occurrence and mitigate their consequences.
3. Innovation: it is necessary to develop new technologies and approaches that allow solving
environmental and social problems while ensuring economic development.
4. Ecological thinking: it is necessary to know how our actions affect the environment and act in
such a way as to reduce the negative impact.
5. Global thinking: it is necessary to take into account the global consequences of our actions and
interact with other countries and organizations to achieve common sustainable development goals.
6. Social justice: it is necessary to ensure equal opportunities and share the benefits of economic
development among all population groups to ensure social stability and harmony.
They are all listed in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Sustainable development requires six central capacities [1].
It is the concept of sustainable development that emphasizes the importance of the environmental
component in combination with economic development, which is not possible without the energy
component.
The concept of sustainable development encompasses economic, social, and ecological aspects.
To ensure sustainable development, it is necessary to consider various characteristics such as per
capita gross domestic product, employment, poverty, disease, and life expectancy. Ecological factors,
such as the quality of food and drinking water, air cleanliness, and contact with nature, play an
important role in meeting physiological and social needs of humans. However, the ecological
functions of nature are also important in their own right and should be considered separately in the
context of sustainable development [14, 15].
Thus, the problem of ensuring sustainable development of society lies in the plane of three basic
spheres: social, economic, and ecological (Figure 2).
The more effectively each of the mentioned functions is performed, the more effective the activity
of the entire system, and the higher the possibility of the system accumulating "free energy".
Efficiency in this case can be determined by the ratio of the amount of energy used directly to
implement a given function and the total energy costs. This is a kind of energy efficiency coefficient
(EEC). In turn, the efficiency of the system and its subsystems will be higher, the lower the energy
losses (dissipation) are.
One of the main goals of the concept of sustainable development is to preserve the state of the
environment at the maximum possible level, which exists today for future generations. For a long
time, natural resource use was carried out by human society in an irrational manner. Nowadays, the
global community has realized that ensuring sustainable socio-economic development is impossible
without rational consumption, preservation, and maintenance of vital ecological processes. The end
of the era of cheap raw materials and free consumption of natural resources has led to increased
costs in mining and processing industries, increased costs for the implementation of purification
technologies, and the adoption of nature conservation and natural restoration measures. Based on
the above, the ecological factor can be defined as a system of specialized types of labor activity and
expenses aimed at rational use of natural resources, environmental protection, and its restoration.
Figure 2: The main components of sustainable development concept [2].
In addition to implementing resource-efficient technologies, an important step in realizing the
concept of sustainable development is the application of treatment systems by companies for water,
air, soil, and other natural resources that are affected by harmful production processes.
The second important component of the concept of sustainable development is the resource
component. Companies use a large amount of various resources, which can be divided into renewable
and non-renewable - this is a part of natural resources that do not self-renew in the process of
material circulation in the biosphere or renew hundreds and thousands of times slower than they
are used (coal, oil, most other minerals, many sedimentary rocks, species composition of organisms).
Special attention should be paid to those resources that cannot be renewed, and it is necessary to
seek substitutes for these resources that have the ability to regenerate. In the case where there is no
such analogue, it is necessary to seek the most efficient technologies for using such resources in
order to preserve them for future generations.
According to the United Nations Global Compact (a voluntary international initiative that brings
together companies with UN agencies, labor, and civil society to support universal social and
environmental principles), three of the ten principles relate to the environment:
Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental protection.
Principle 8: Businesses should undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental
responsibility.
Principle 9: Businesses should encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally
friendly technologies.
We believe that adopting principles of corporate social responsibility not only benefits society,
but also helps companies improve their reputation, increase competitiveness, and enhance risk
management systems. It is necessary to establish partnerships between government and local self-
government bodies, science, education, business, and civil society organizations to improve the state
of the environment.
Priorities of the partnership include:
• integrating the environmental component into industry and regional strategies and
programs;
• creating eco-economic conditions for balanced development;
• shaping environmental awareness and worldview of the population of Ukraine based on the
principles of balanced development;
• preserving biodiversity and ecosystems;
• creating conditions for the reproduction of natural resources;
• guaranteeing environmental safety for the health and lives of the population;
• expanding public participation in the formation and implementation of state environmental
policy.
Ukraine has not yet approved a Sustainable Development Strategy, although national and
regional consultations on the draft Strategy for Sustainable Development until 2030 were held in
Ukraine during June-December 2016. These consultations involved representatives of government
bodies, local self-government, scientists, educators, representatives of civil society organizations,
professional associations, business, media, and experts from international organizations.
The goal of the strategy is to achieve integrated economic, social, and environmental development
in Ukraine by 2030. The National Action Plan (roadmap) will be approved after the adoption of the
Strategy.
The Strategy establishes a comprehensive system of strategic and operational objectives for
achieving the goal, defines institutional principles, directions for inter-industry and inter-sectoral
cooperation, key driving forces, and tools for its implementation. Target indicators are indicated for
three stages of the Strategy implementation: 2017-2020, 2021-2025, 2026-2030.
In the Sustainable Development Strategy, the innovative direction of development is key, based
on active use of knowledge and scientific achievements, stimulation of innovative activities and
creation of a favorable investment climate. In addition, there is a renewal of production assets,
formation of high-tech types of activities and sectors of the economy, increased energy efficiency of
production, stimulation of balanced economic growth based on attracting investments in the use of
renewable energy sources and environmentally safe production, as well as the use of "green"
technologies.
Economic growth will no longer be associated with the exploitation of natural resources but
rather with the widespread adoption of "green" economic models. Waste accumulated in the past
will gradually be recycled and disposed of, leading to a reduction in the scale and elimination of a
significant number of landfills. Export will shift from raw materials and their primary processing
products to products with a high added value.
Significant reductions in energy intensity of gross domestic product will be achieved through
energy-saving measures and the application of energy-efficient practices. The proportion of
ecologically clean energy production will inevitably increase, replacing traditional carbon
technologies. This will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants into the
atmosphere, contributing to the fight against climate change. All of these will contribute to the
improvement of the quality of the environment and the health of the population.
Sustainable development is primarily focused on improving the quality of life in a favorable socio-
economic environment, with an ecologically clean, healthy, and diverse natural environment. The
high intellectual level of human potential should ensure the country's competitiveness in the future.
One of the main objectives of the Strategy is to promote the implementation of projects for the
recovery of the economy in the regions of Ukraine affected by the hostilities, based on innovative
industrial development that utilizes environmentally friendly, resource- and energy-saving
technologies, renewable energy sources, and non-material natural resource management and also to
create a national infrastructure of geospatial data on the impact of industrial enterprises on the
environment (registers of emissions, discharges, and transfer of pollutants).
One of the operational goals defined in the Strategy is to ensure access to economically viable,
reliable, and low-carbon sources of energy for all, as well as to improve energy efficiency.
The Strategy outlines several key objectives for achieving the operational goal of ensuring access
to economically feasible, reliable, and low-carbon energy sources for everyone, as well as improving
energy efficiency. By 2030, the aim is to increase the share of energy produced from renewable
sources in Ukraine's total final energy consumption to 17.1% and redirect subsidies for fossil fuels to
programs supporting renewable energy production, energy conservation, and energy efficiency.
The Strategy also includes the activation of international cooperation to attract investments for
the development of infrastructure and technologies for producing clean energy, as well as ensuring
the creation of infrastructure and accumulation of resources needed for decommissioning Ukrainian
nuclear power plants. Moreover, it aims to modernize existing nuclear power plant units to enhance
and maintain ecological and radiation safety in line with international standards.
One of the key strategic goals of the Strategy is to achieve a balance between production and
consumption, efficient use of natural resources, and enhancing resilience to climate change by taking
necessary measures.
Regarding environmental safety, measures will be taken to eliminate the most hazardous storage
facilities for toxic waste, reduce the volume of their formation, and prevent their illegal disposal.
By 2030, legislative acts will be developed for handling the slags and slimes of the fuel and energy
complex and metallurgical enterprises, which can be used as a substitute for natural materials.
Stimulating the processing and use of large-scale enterprise waste (such as ash and slag waste, rock,
etc.) will be ensured.
Let's look at the experience of the European Union countries in using renewable energy sources,
which are more environmentally friendly and relevant for the military economy of Ukraine.
Reducing the use of fossil fuels through the use of renewable energy sources such as wind
turbines, solar panels, and other technologies for electricity production has become a key goal of the
energy policies of the European Union countries. Increased use of renewable energy sources has
countless advantages for society, such as mitigating the effects of climate change, reducing emissions
of pollutants into the atmosphere, and improving energy security. The EU aims to ensure that by
2020, 20% of gross final energy consumption comes from renewable sources, and by 2030, this share
will increase to 32%.
The technology of renewable energy is not new and has firmly established itself in Europe.
Denmark installed the world's first offshore wind farm "Vindeby" in 1991, which included 11 wind
turbines. That same year, Germany introduced Europe's first "green tariff" for renewable energy
sources, a political mechanism designed to accelerate investment in renewable energy technologies.
Since 1985, the supranational influence of the EU on energy issues has steadily increased as the
EU's environmental and competitive policies have become more established and widespread. These
efforts can be placed in the hierarchy of restructuring energy sector flows (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Hierarchy of energy sector restructuring flows in the EU [3].
Since the beginning of 1985, the influence of the EU on the energy sector has become increasingly
noticeable as the EU actively developed an ecological and competitive policy. This contributed to the
restructuring of the energy sector, which can be represented in the form of a hierarchy of flows
(Figure 3). By 2000, over 70% of all wind energy installed in the world and 20% of global solar
photovoltaic installations were in Europe. In 2000, the first large-scale wind farm "Horns Rev" was
launched in Denmark, which used technologies that later became industrial standards for offshore
wind installations.
Europe also became the largest market for solar photovoltaic energy, covering over 70% of the
market by 2008. In the same year, the Olmedilla photovoltaic power station with a capacity of 60
megawatts was launched in Spain, making it the largest in the world. This station provides enough
solar energy to power 40,000 homes per year [16, 17].
Europe remains a leader in the use of renewable energy sources, as the rest of the world also
increasingly uses them. In July 2019, Portugal achieved the lowest cost of a solar photovoltaic park
in the world - a record that still stands today [16].
Since 2010, the world has witnessed a significant shift in the competitiveness of renewable energy
production options. The global weighted average normalized cost of electricity (LCOE) for newly
commissioned large-scale solar photovoltaic projects has decreased by 88% between 2010 and 2021,
while concentrated solar power (CSP) has decreased by 67% and offshore wind by 60%.
It is predicted that the growth of renewable energy capacity will accelerate over the next five
years, accounting for nearly 95% of the global increase in electricity capacity by 2026. Between 2020
and 2026, renewable energy capacity is expected to increase by over 60% and reach over 4,800 GW.
This is equivalent to the current global capacity of fossil fuel and nuclear energy combined.
According to the forecast, China will remain the leader for the next five years, accounting for 43%
of global renewable energy capacity growth, followed by Europe, the United States, and India. These
four markets account for 80% of the world's renewable energy capacity expansion. A significant
advantage is that 25% of Europe's electricity can come from offshore sources by 2050.
The term "offshore renewable energy technologies" includes several clean energy technologies
that are at various stages of development.
To harness the potential of renewable energy, the European Union is exploring various innovative
technologies for offshore power generation. Some of these technologies include stationary wind
turbines, which are more efficient than onshore wind generators, floating wind turbines that are
more flexible in adapting to wind direction and different ocean basins, and technologies for
transmitting large volumes of marine renewable energy to the mainland through high-voltage direct
current converters. Other technologies being researched include wave energy, tidal energy, floating
solar power, and algae as a source of biofuels.
The European strategy also aims to address the entire chain of offshore wind energy, including
the production process of wind turbines and the development of port infrastructure.
The EU has the largest maritime territory in the world. Thanks to the diversity and
complementarity of its maritime basins, it has unique opportunities for the development of
renewable energy at sea.
The North Sea, the Baltic Sea, the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the EU, the Mediterranean Sea,
the Black Sea, EU islands, as well as many European outermost regions and overseas countries and
territories have natural potential for hosting various renewable technologies. According to this
European strategy, EU countries will allocate 3% of available maritime space to achieve energy goals
[17]. The energy balances of each EU member state are largely dependent on its geographical
location, energy policy, structure of its energy system, availability of energy resources for primary
production, and the structure and development of its economy. As a result, there are significant
differences between countries in the use of fossil fuels, renewable energy sources, energy intensity,
and CO2 emissions. Due to centuries of industrial development, fossil fuels have significant
structural advantages that make them more mature than sustainable alternatives such as wind, solar,
and biogas energy. Additionally, fossil fuel resources are still generally sufficient, and the price of
non-eco-friendly energy remains much lower than most renewable energy sources [18].
Despite the fact that costs for electricity production using renewable energy infrastructure are
decreasing, costs per unit remain higher than in traditional production because costs are spread over
a smaller production volume.
The rise in prices for goods, energy, and transportation leads to an increase in production and
transportation costs for solar photovoltaic modules, wind turbines, and biofuels worldwide. Since
the beginning of 2020, prices for polycrystalline photovoltaic cells have increased by more than four
times, steel by 50%, aluminum by 80%, copper by 60%, and transportation fees have increased by six
times. Compared to commodity prices in 2019, investment costs for solar photovoltaic and offshore
wind installations are 25% higher. In addition, restrictive trade measures have led to further price
increases for solar photovoltaic modules and wind turbines in key markets such as the United States,
India, and the European Union [19].
There are four primary mechanisms that governments use to encourage the deployment of
renewable energy: preferential tariffs, tax incentives, tradable green certificates, and investment
subsidies. The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) was introduced in 2005 to address
the shortcomings of the market by creating a market for greenhouse gas emissions allowances, thus
establishing a price for carbon emissions that reflects the negative externalities associated with
electricity generation from fossil fuels, as well as manufacturing and polluting industries such as
cement, aluminum, and steel.
However, the generous allocation of pollution certificates has significantly reduced the effective
incentive to transition to more environmentally-friendly production in the long run. Carbon prices
have more than doubled since the beginning of 2021, reaching a peak of €74.12 per tonne on
November 25th after world leaders signed a new agreement aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels.
To support the deployment of renewable energy sources, each member state has implemented a
combination of various policy instruments relating to regulatory policy and fiscal incentives, as well
as government funding. For example, at the beginning of the 2000s, most European Union countries
created a guaranteed purchase price mechanism aimed at promoting the development of renewable
energy. While preferential tariffs and bonuses are the main support schemes for the implementation
of renewable energy technologies in the electricity sector, it is increasingly recognized that a
combination of policy instruments is necessary to promote the carbon transition. Moreover, these
instruments may change significantly over time and vary according to different national goals and
stages of a country's innovation activity [18].
Under the current structure of competitive electricity markets, renewable energy may still require
incentives in the form of subsidies, as low working hours and interruptions mean that it will not
receive sufficient revenue at market prices. No method of providing incentives for renewable energy,
including cost-based approaches, market-based approaches such as auctions, can guarantee
economic efficiency. The uncertain availability of renewable energy imposes costs on network
operators and dispatched generators, which are difficult to allocate correctly under a liberalized
electricity market model.
The EU's historical policy of promoting renewable energy through incentives has proven effective
in ensuring capacity and productivity, but it may have been inefficient in terms of costs and may
have provided excessively high profits for investors. Subsidies and incentives were not calibrated to
determine what constitutes a "sufficient" rate of return for attracting investments. Additionally, the
complexity and opacity in developing renewable energy support schemes increased costs, promoted
inefficiency, and may have facilitated abuses.
In addition to direct expenditures on subsidizing renewable energy, its intermittency has led to
indirect costs on dispatchable generators, as they were forced to reduce output to accommodate
electricity from wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy. The impact of unused capacity
and the use of capacity as backup for renewable energy sources has called into question the viability
of the current structure of liberalized electricity trading markets and has led to new calls for reform
of ancillary services, capacity payments, and affordability. The EU's experience in stimulating
renewable energy indicates the need to overhaul markets to improve both short-term metrics and
ensure the adequacy of long-term investments.
The experience of the EU in promoting renewable energy has also revealed shortcomings in
achieving national goals. Europe has promoted the integration of energy markets to rationalize
capacities and ensure that flows correspond to prices, but the fragmented design of incentives for
renewable energy at the country level has led to inefficiencies and suboptimal investment models
compared to what could have been achieved through incentives throughout the EU. It is clear that
there is an opportunity to learn from the EU experience to develop new policies that balance the
needs for economic efficiency of renewable energy sources.
Decisions regarding the type of renewable energy production, stimulating specific solutions, or
allowing market forces to direct capital have also formed the choice of support schemes. In France,
tariffs and surcharges for renewable energy were adapted to specific locations, sizes, technologies,
and uses. When choosing schemes, policies also weighed restrictions on the size and number of
projects.
Currently, most jobs in the energy sector in the EU are related to traditional energy sources such
as oil, gas, coal, and nuclear power. However, clean energy technologies are becoming a dynamic
area for investment and employment, leading to new jobs in related sectors such as construction and
manufacturing.
Some sectors and regions in the EU will need time to transition to new renewable energy sources
and to transfer skills where possible. This is already happening in coal regions in the EU. The
European Commission has initiatives to help and support a fair transition for coal regions, both in
the EU and in the Western Balkans and Ukraine, on their path to decarbonization.
Thanks to the EU's long-term goal of climate neutrality and reducing dependence on imported
fuels, the renewable energy sector in the EU will inevitably develop much faster than initially
planned. In 2020, the turnover of the renewable energy sector in EU-27 countries amounted to
approximately 163 billion euros, which represents a gross increase of around 13.7 billion euros
compared to 2019 (+9.2%) [16].
Therefore, the EU must continue its efforts to ensure leadership in the fight against global
warming, but it will face various obstacles. In the context of huge state debts and high levels of
uncertainty in energy prices caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of energy
transition and renewable energy sources may be at risk in the short term. Mobilizing both public and
private investments will be important for achieving climate change goals.
On the other hand, the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for a shift in production systems,
which could accelerate the decentralization of national energy systems and thus promote the
development of local renewable energy sources. Additionally, the EU must prevent the negative
impact of its environmental policy on firms' competitiveness and the energy vulnerability of low-
income households.
Overall, the use of renewable energy sources has many significant benefits for the EU, including
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, diversifying energy sources, and reducing dependence on fossil
fuel markets (particularly oil and gas). The growth of the renewable energy market can also stimulate
employment in the EU by creating jobs in new "green" technologies.
The high share of fossil fuels in the energy balance is a burden not only in terms of greenhouse
gas emissions, but also in terms of supply security. With limited and depleted resources, the EU has
extremely high dependency rates: 95% for oil (relatively stable) and 85% for gas (increased by 15%
over the past decade). Recent crises (COVID-19, sharp increases in gas and electricity prices in 2021,
Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022) are a harsh reminder that long-term climate goals cannot be achieved
without parallel solutions to energy security and affordability issues. In 2019, prior to the COVID-19
crisis, oil was the most consumed energy source in the EU, accounting for one third of the total
energy consumption, followed by gas (24% of total consumption).
Globally, similar shares can be observed for oil and gas consumption. The main difference comes
from the lower dependence on coal in the EU (13% share in the EU compared to 27% worldwide) with
the gradual phase-out of coal since 2015. This is balanced by a higher share of nuclear energy in the
EU compared to the rest of the world (14% versus 5%).
Transportation, specifically road transport, accounts for 70% and 60% of final oil consumption in
the EU. The pandemic had a profound impact on the transportation sector due to lockdowns and
remote work, which somewhat reduced freight transport and aviation by implementing strict
preventive measures. In 2021, the overall demand for oil in the EU recovered by 5% (after an 8% drop
in 2020) mainly due to the economic recovery (GDP grew by 5.3% in 2021 compared to a 5.9% decline
in 2020) [20] (Figure 4)?
The Ukrainian crisis has exacerbated the explosion of natural gas prices and added a supply
security crisis. Of the more than 150 billion cubic meters, Russian imports account for nearly 40% of
the total annual natural gas imports, which is roughly equivalent to the gas consumption in the EU
energy sector. Uncertainty regarding the role of natural gas in the EU energy system has increased,
as natural gas was labeled a transitional fuel in the EU taxonomy in early February, and shortly after,
the European Commission presented options for reducing dependence on Russian imports and
natural gas in general in its REPowerEU plan.
Figure 4: Oil consumption in EU countries from 2019 to 2021 and forecast of oil consumption in the
EU for the years 2022-2025, in million tons of oil equivalent [20].
The main challenges associated with natural gas, stemming from the recent crisis and the energy
transition, lie in the EU's energy sector. Gas-fired power plants, which account for about 20% of
electricity generation, play a key role in the electricity structure and offer flexibility for grid
balancing. This is a dispatch technology with relatively high short-term marginal costs. The main
factors affecting natural gas power generation in the short term depend on the overall balance of
electricity demand/supply and relative competitiveness with other dispatch technologies.
Recent crises have impacted several factors, leading to a decrease in natural gas-based electricity
production in both 2020 and 2021. In 2020, this decline was a direct result of the pandemic, which
affected the global economy and demand for electricity. In 2021, it was mainly due to a shift towards
coal-based electricity production as gas-fired power plants became less competitive with the sharp
rise in natural gas prices, despite a weaker wind power capacity and economic recovery. The
Ukrainian crisis has intensified the pressure on natural gas prices, and future gas prices suggest that
this situation may persist beyond 2024 [20].
The energy crisis calls for a coordinated, inclusive, and harmonized global energy management
to ensure fully functioning global markets and accessible energy during the "green transition for all."
In 2008, when oil prices were very high, the EU convened an international conference of suppliers
and buyers. Increased international coordination will not automatically lead to lower gas prices, but
collective action by the world can help calm speculative markets [21].
Decarbonizing economies is a key task for the EU and humanity. This will be the defining
challenge of the 21st century, the key or the turning point for the future of humanity. Globally, the
main challenge will be to provide enough energy for the entire population, which currently
consumes very limited or no energy while combating climate change. In 2019, 759 million people
still lived without electricity. This delicate process must be precisely tuned to avoid short-term
shocks with brutal price increases that could derail the entire energy transition in the EU. Foreign
and security policy can also contribute to achieving long- and short-term goals.
The EU began 2022 with the Russian-Ukrainian war, which greatly affected energy markets. Oil
prices are reaching record highs, and overall, the surge in energy prices that began in 2021 is a key
factor pushing inflation to unprecedented levels in the last decade. The consequences for economic
activity and purchasing power will limit or dampen the growth of oil demand in 2022. From a supply
security perspective, the Ukrainian crisis and dependence on Russian oil imports have limited impact
(especially compared to gas) on the EU due to the liquid and global nature of the oil market.
The war in Ukraine in 2022 has prompted many countries to rely more on fossil fuels in the short
term, while promising to phase them out more quickly in the future. Currently, the energy crisis,
global wave of droughts, steep price increases, supply chain disruptions, and concerns about an
economic downturn threaten to delay long-term commitments to transition to lower-emissions
energy sourcesНачало формы
Supporters of green energy argue that the war in Ukraine and high fuel prices could help
accelerate the transition on the continent by forcing a painful abandonment of oil and gas and
changing consumer habits that might otherwise remain entrenched [22]. The "green transition"
package includes measures that directly relate to oil consumption and automotive transport, such as
developing a new emissions trading system for buildings and automotive transport, developing
infrastructure for alternative fuels, and banning cars and vans with internal combustion engines by
2035. Recent crises underscore the need for the EU to reduce its dependence on fossil fuel imports,
and among the measures taken to combat high energy prices and dependence on Russian oil and gas,
only some have a direct positive impact on the energy transition [23].
At the same time, most member states have introduced short-term measures to protect consumers
from the direct impact of rising prices. In the case of oil and gas, this can be seen as direct support
or subsidies for fossil fuels, which could delay the transition to alternative fuels.
Reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency are recognized priorities of the
green economy in line with European and global requirements for sustainable development.
However, there are ongoing discussions regarding the identification of factors that contribute to
changes in energy consumption (energy conservation), which are also prerequisites for recognizing
the composition of instruments in the approach to measuring their effectiveness. Identifying relevant
factors that influence energy consumption is strategically important for regions and sectors [24].
Based on current research among individual consumers, the following factors can be identified as
affecting energy consumption: economic and financial conditions, socio-demographic conditions,
physical characteristics of housing, location of the apartment, environmental and climatic
conditions, as well as fees for energy use.
In May 2022, the European Commission proposed to increase its already ambitious target for the
use of renewable energy sources from 40% to 45% of the electricity balance block by 2030. This
includes plans to more than double the solar capacity of the block by 2025 [25].
To achieve all of this, Europe needs to roughly double the current level of investment in
renewable energy to around €66 billion per year. This, in turn, requires European governments to
implement measures such as streamlining the permit processes for renewable energy sources and
encouraging the market for clean energy contracts.
European governments must also promote energy-saving measures and abandon their attempts
to shield consumers and businesses from higher energy costs. Between September 2021 and May,
European countries allocated at least €187 billion to such subsidies.
Governments can leverage the momentum of competitive solar and wind energy, but they must
also significantly increase their political focus on dispatchable renewable electricity and the use of
renewable energy in buildings, industry, and transport. Governments should also consider the
possibility of directing much larger expenditures towards renewable energy sources to revive the
economy, as well as implement policies and rules that will foster greater mobilization of private
capital.
Therefore, the EU has decided to take the initiative in the current energy transition, aiming to
become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This is expected to significantly transform
European society and the economy. For many years, the EU has set important climate and energy
targets, reinforcing its firm political commitment to combat greenhouse gas emissions and overcome
the consequences of climate change. The biggest risk to the EU's environmental ambitions lies in
whether public support for the "green" economy will decline due to its impact on citizens' bills. In
contrast, the European Commission has announced that special funds will be allocated to support
the most vulnerable segments of the population in this green transition [26, 27].
The European Union's climate agenda faced significant obstacles in 2022. In this policy area, as in
many others, the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, 2022, changed everything
for Europeans.
Some EU member countries believe that transitioning to clean and renewable energy sources will
not lower energy prices quickly enough. That's why Austria, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands,
Poland, and the Czech Republic have recently extended the service life of their coal-fired power
plants. Member states are also turning their long-term attention back to infrastructure, which they
once considered a transitional source of energy during Russia's war against Ukraine. Germany is
exploring the possibility of building liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals to replace Russian
gas pipelines, while France and Spain have resumed negotiations on the construction of the Midi-
Catalonia gas pipeline. Bulgaria and Greece have also confirmed plans to build a gas pipeline.
Currently, France plans to build 14 new nuclear power plants by 2050. EU governments are trying
to deepen their relationships with gas suppliers other than Russia, from Algeria to Qatar [28].
5. Discussion
The energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine is likely to accelerate the transition to more
environmentally friendly fuels in the medium term, according to the head of the International
Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Greater use of renewable sources can help improve the
environment and ensure energy independence.
The short-term use of fossil fuels may increase to ensure stable energy supply, but the risks to
energy security highlighted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine will contribute to a global shift away
from polluting fuels. Germany is delaying the planned closure of some coal-fired power plants, while
the UK is turning to old coal power units as a "last resort" in case other sources cannot provide
enough electricity during the coming winter [23].
Energy security issues in Europe have also led to renewed interest in African gas reserves. Italy
has signed new agreements with Algeria and Angola to increase exports, while the EU and other
member countries have turned their attention to Egypt and Nigeria.
African countries are seeking external investments to quickly fill gaps in infrastructure for natural
gas exports and protect themselves from price instability.
This could create short-term opportunities, despite Europe's efforts to quickly end foreign
investments in fossil fuels, and may lead to African countries being reluctant to fully embrace more
environmentally friendly alternatives. However, the EU's long-term response remains clean energy
both at home and abroad.
For African economies, this rhetoric alone is far from a viable alternative to the development of
their fossil fuel reserves and reinforces the notion that the transitional period in Europe hinders
rather than supports Africa's economic development.
To earn trust in its climate and energy diplomacy, the EU will need to reinforce its narrative of a
just transition by linking its investments in green energy to ambitions for the development and
industrialization of African countries and societies [14].
However, in the medium to long term, the crisis in Ukraine will accelerate the energy transition,
as governments finally realize that choosing renewable energy sources is beneficial not only for the
environment, job creation, and GDP, but also for ensuring higher energy independence.
The global energy crisis has led to a renewed interest in nuclear energy. Governments in Europe
and Asia are extending the lifespan of their aging nuclear power plants, restarting reactors, and
dusting off plans to revive projects that were postponed after the Fukushima nuclear crisis in 2011
in Japan.
European countries are starting to implement policies to support the adoption of renewable
energy sources, followed by certain investments. For example, Germany has passed a law on
renewable energy that sets higher targets for wind power and improves permits, according to the
industry group WindEurope.
The European Investment Bank, the EU's lending arm, has announced a 550 million euro loan,
equivalent to $561 million, to Spanish utility company Iberdrola SA to finance wind and solar projects
in Spain over the next 18 months. The European Commission is providing 118 million euros to help
finance Enel's solar panel factory in southern Italy. SolarPower Europe, the continent's main solar
energy trade group, has stated that installations will exceed the group's most colorful forecasts this
year.
However, much more money and action is needed to move away from fossil fuels at a pace that
will keep emissions - and global warming - under control. Implementing these steps would have
been difficult even without recent economic and energy shocks.
Throughout 2021 and January 2022, EU member countries fiercely debated whether the EU should
adopt nuclear energy and gas as part of its goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The
European Commission proposed a compromise classification that would include nuclear energy and
gas in the EU's transitional energy balance, but this did not resolve the dispute. The Commission's
proposal to include nuclear energy in the mix prompted threats of legal challenge from Austria and
Luxembourg, as well as criticism from Spain, Portugal, and parts of the German government.
Meanwhile, climate policy experts in many member countries condemned the inclusion of gas.
The rapid transition to renewable energy sources will depend on Europe's ability to extract or
import materials necessary for clean energy technology, such as copper, lithium, and cobalt. And
this is happening at a time when supply chains are facing increasing demand for renewable energy
worldwide.
It has been found that achieving the EU's emissions reduction goal by 2050 will require
approximately 35% more copper and aluminum than is currently consumed, and approximately 45%
more silicon - a key component of solar panels. At the same time, demand for lithium could increase
35-fold, to over 800,000 tonnes, and rare earth elements will be needed up to 26 times more. Demand
for cobalt and nickel could increase by 330% and 100%, respectively. These materials are necessary
for the production of electric vehicles, batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels - all of which are
crucial for achieving Europe's ambitious emission reduction targets.
The EU's energy strategy outlines ways to avoid future trade dependence by encouraging new
extraction and processing within Europe, as well as recycling of metal waste and scrap. The strategy
also mentions the potential for strategic raw material partnerships and trade agreements with
countries in Africa and Latin America.
The European Commission has recommended measures to expedite the complex procedures for
obtaining permits and designated "green zones" for renewable energy sources with lower
environmental risks. According to a study by KU Leuven, local processing of metals used in cars and
wind turbines could provide Europe with up to 75% of its demand for clean metals, but this will only
happen after 2040. Beyond this point, Europe's future growth will depend on its ability to invest in
recycling operations and prevent the export of scrap metal to other countries. The shortage of skilled
labor is another problem, as installers across Europe and in many foreign markets report difficulties
in finding qualified workers for construction and installation projects.
Meanwhile, while the EU is intensifying its ambitions, some member states have increased their
targets for renewable energy. Germany now plans to meet 100% of its electricity needs from
renewable sources by 2035, five years earlier than initially planned. The Netherlands, on the other
hand, plans to double its offshore wind energy to almost 22 GW by 2030.
The European Green Deal plays an important role in addressing some of the consequences of the
war in Ukraine. This can contribute to an integrated response that takes into account the global
problems caused by simultaneous geopolitical, medical, and socio-ecological crises in both the short
and long term. The impact of the war on food security, energy security, industrial supply chains, and
environmental protection should be considered, paying proper attention to immediate threats and
with the aim of accelerating the emerging transformation towards sustainability to avoid
exacerbating future disruptions.
To achieve this, three approaches are necessary: ensuring policy coherence across sectors and
institutions, developing relevant social protection measures, and fostering international cooperation.
6. Conclusions
The main priority for any national economy is to increase its level of ecological and energy security.
However, a paradoxical phenomenon may arise, whereby a high level of ecological security is
achieved based on national priorities, but the concept of sustainable economic development, which
requires the harmonization of the ecological, economic (energy), and social components of
sustainable development, is undermined. This leads to negative ecological, economic, and social
consequences. Therefore, the question arises at the present stage of achieving a level of ecological
security that would correspond to the principles of sustainable economic development. To
simultaneously address the issue of energy security and the climate crisis, which is crucial for
ecological security, the energy transition needs to be accelerated worldwide. Within the EU,
production of renewable energy sources can be increased, gradually phasing out the use of fossil
fuels, and increasing energy efficiency in all sectors and industries. The EU also has the potential to
create strong international partnerships to help other interested countries in their own energy
transitions and support them in becoming key trading partners in renewable energy.
Global supply chains, especially industrial supply chains, have been disrupted by war and related
sanctions. Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus supply a significant portion of key global raw materials such
as neon, nickel, aluminum, and palladium, as well as essential goods such as iron products and
fertilizers. Rising energy prices and the unavailability of transportation routes have further
exacerbated the disruptions. As companies relocate their production and seek new suppliers, the EU
should strive to incentivize low-carbon options, encourage innovation and material efficiency, and
support developing countries in building their own green industries.
Over the past three decades, the European Union (EU) has been rethinking the energy sector in
Europe. Transnational policies aimed at liberalization, integration, energy efficiency, renewable
energy sources, carbon pricing, and energy security have led to significant progress in creating a
safer, more integrated, and environmentally friendly energy supply.
Energy production and use account for over 75% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore,
decarbonizing the energy system is crucial for achieving the EU's long-term goal of becoming
climate-neutral by 2050.
Renewable energy sources represent a vital foundation for global efforts to reduce and ultimately
phase out fossil fuels, increasing national resilience to the volatility of fossil fuel prices. Energy from
renewable sources is essential to "cleanse" the EU's energy system. At the same time, increasing the
share of renewable energy sources in the energy balance will also benefit citizens by creating new
jobs in various sectors, fostering dialogue between communities, and creating opportunities for more
equitable and inclusive standards in the energy sector.
High coal and fossil gas prices in 2021 and 2022 further undermined the competitiveness of fossil
fuels, making solar and wind energy even more attractive. Due to the unprecedented rise in fossil
gas prices in Europe, new fossil gas production in Europe will become increasingly unprofitable over
the entire service life.
The war of Russia against Ukraine, while devastating in terms of its humanitarian and economic
consequences, may have a "positive" collateral impact on the European Green Deal. This would not
be the first time that an international crisis has had positive side effects for the planet: the COVID-
19 pandemic also led to a global 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 as the virus spread.
The war in Ukraine has not only caused a humanitarian tragedy but also delivered a significant
shock to the efforts towards achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions. However, for leaders in the
public and private sectors who wish to take the necessary bold steps, a new logic of energy security
and economics promises to make this a turning point in using the opportunity to overcome the
unfolding global climate crisis.
The increasing frequency and severity of cyber attacks on the energy sector pose a significant
risk to the environment, potentially resulting in ecological disasters. Proactive measures,
collaboration, and investment in cybersecurity are crucial to mitigating these threats and ensuring
the resilience of the energy infrastructure.
Declaration on Generative AI
The author(s) have not employed any Generative AI tools.
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