Security concerns around offshore windfarms 'overwhelmingly the number one issue'

Physical and cyber security of maritime infrastructure — from windfarms to undersea energy pipelines and data cables — is a major issue across northern Europe on the back of suspected sabotage operations. File photo

Security concerns over the protection of offshore windfarms is “overwhelmingly the number one issue” across Europe, but is not featuring in discussions here, the head of Ireland’s wind industry has said.

Noel Cunniffe, chief executive of Wind Energy Ireland, said the protection of energy infrastructure should be examined “an awful lot more” in this country given commitments to massively boost renewable energy to meet legally-binding EU targets on reducing CO2 emissions.