Washington, Aug 27: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order declaring a national emergency over what his administration described as an extraordinary foreign threat to the country’s electricity infrastructure.
The order restricts the purchase and installation of certain foreign produced equipment used in bulk-power systems, citing potential national security, cybersecurity and operational risks.
According to the White House, the measures cover not only physical electrical equipment but also associated critical software and digital capabilities that could expose the US power network to vulnerabilities.
The administration said foreign-made components could potentially be exploited to disrupt electricity supplies or compromise critical infrastructure. The executive action directs the US Energy Secretary to establish conditions governing the continued use and operation of equipment considered to present security concerns.
The move represents another step by Washington to limit technology related risks associated with foreign suppliers, particularly those linked to China. It follows similar concerns raised in Europe over Chinese-made components used in renewable energy infrastructure.
Security concerns surrounding solar power equipment have also grown. Reuters reported last year that US experts examining Chinese solar inverters had discovered undocumented communication devices inside some units connected to electricity grids.
The latest order reflects growing government scrutiny of equipment that connects directly to critical energy infrastructure. Officials are increasingly assessing both hardware and software for potential vulnerabilities before allowing their deployment across the power system.
The White House said protecting the electricity grid is essential to national security, economic stability and the reliable functioning of critical services.
The administration’s action is expected to increase scrutiny of foreign suppliers seeking access to the US energy infrastructure and could influence future procurement decisions across the electricity sector.