In our electrified world, an uninterrupted power supply is essential. A prolonged power blackout caused by attacks on renewable energy sources plants (“RES plants”) or the power grid poses a serious threat and would have a massive impact on public life within a very short time. According to the President of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), there is currently an increased abstract threat and concrete attacks have also been recorded. For example, the BSI did not rule out a cyber-attack as the cause of the disruption to the remote maintenance of thousands of wind turbines in Germany at the end of February 2022. In April 2022, an attack took place on the IT systems of Deutsche Windtechnik, which is responsible for the maintenance, monitoring and security of wind farms. The functionality of the energy supply is therefore more dependent than ever on intact information and communication technology (ICT).

Legislators are also aware of the steadily increasing threat: In 2015, the Act on Increasing the Security of Information Technology Systems (IT Security Act) came into force for operators of so-called critical infrastructures, which supplemented the already existing regulations on IT security in the Federal Office for Information Security Act (BSIG) and the Energy Industry Act (EnWG). The IT Security Act 2.0, passed in 2021, continued this development, for example by expanding the obligations for affected companies as well as significantly increased fines.

Our experts Dr Paul Voigt and Dr Markus Böhme, LL.M. address below central questions concerning RES plants as critical infrastructure and the resulting requirements for the operators of affected plants.

Question: When are RES plants considered critical infrastructure and which laws apply?

Answer: The obligations for operators of critical infrastructures in the energy sector and the answer to the essential question of whether the generating facility in question is to be classified as critical infrastructure arise from a whole series of different laws and ordinances:

• BSIG (IT Security Act)
• BSI KritisV (Ordinance for Determining Critical Infrastructures)
• EnWG (Energy Industry Act)
• IT Security Catalogue of the BNetzA (Federal Network Agency)

The BSIG stipulates that critical infrastructures are facilities, equipment or parts thereof which, among other things, belong to the energy sector and which are of great importance for the functioning of the community because their failure or impairment would result in significant supply shortages or threats to public safety (Section 2 (10)). The BSI KritisV as an ordinance based on the BSIG is of particular importance. The ordinance uses qualitative and quantitative criteria to determine which infrastructures are considered critical.

In the energy sector (power supply), these include generating plants and plants or systems for the control/bundling of electrical power. Whether a power generating plant is considered critical infrastructure depends largely on whether the threshold values defined in Annex 1 Part 3 of the KritisV are exceeded. The thresholds were lowered significantly as of January 2022, which means that smaller RES plants also fall within their scope. Whereas a threshold of 420 MW previously applied, the threshold for generating plants is now a net nominal capacity of only 104 MW. This means that many onshore wind farms, solar parks and especially offshore wind farms fall within the scope of the KritisV. Generating plants capable of black start are subject to the KritisV regardless of the amount of installed capacity. For plants providing primary control power, the threshold is 36 MW.

Question: Who is to be regarded as the operator of an RES plant that is considered critical infrastructure?

Answer: According to Section 1 (1) no. 2 KritisV, an operator is a natural or legal person who, taking into account the legal, economic and factual circumstances, exercises a determining influence on the condition and operation of an installation or parts thereof. The possibility to exert a determining influence is given to anyone who can independently control the facility or parts thereof without instructions, whereby the legal power of disposal usually goes hand in hand with actual control. When assessing the economic circumstances, it is decisive who can derive the economic benefit from the facility and who bears the economic risk. The operator status is determined by an overall assessment of the aspects mentioned above.

Question: What are the implications of an operator using a third party to operate the RES plant?

Answer: In principle, it is irrelevant for the status of operator if he uses third parties to operate the facility as long as it does not relinquish decisive influence over the critical infrastructure himself. Even if the actual control lies with a commissioned service provider, the determining influence usually remains with the original operator due to contractually agreed rights of instruction and control. However, the situation may be different if the service provider provides its services largely independently of instructions. 

Question: Can a RES plant have more than one operator?

Answer: No, a plant can only have one responsible operator (principle of operator identity). This is to ensure that rights and obligations can be clearly allocated.

Question: What information security requirements apply to operators of RES plants that have been designated as critical infrastructure?

Answer: Pursuant to Section 11 (1b) EnWG, operators of energy plants that have been designated as critical infrastructure and are connected to an energy supply network are obliged to ensure adequate protection against threats to telecommunications and electronic data processing systems that are necessary for secure facility operation. Adequate protection exists if the IT Security Catalogue pursuant to Section 11 (1b) EnWG of the BNetzA is complied with and this has been documented by the operator. Accordingly, the implementation of an information security management system (ISMS) that meets the requirements of DIN EN ISO/IEC 27001 is needed in particular. When implementing the ISMS, the standards DIN EN ISO/IEC 27002 and 27019, each in their respectively valid version, must also be taken into account. The operator is also obliged to prove the conformity of its ISMS by means of a certificate issued by an independent certification body accredited for the certification of the IT Security Catalogue at the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS). Compliance can be verified by the BNetzA. From 1 May 2023 at the latest, operators must also implement appropriate systems for the detection of attacks and prove this to the BSI for the first time on this date and every two years thereafter, Section 11 (1d), (1e) EnWG.

Question: Who has to prove compliance with the IT Security Catalogue to the BNetzA in the form of a corresponding certificate if the operator uses an external service provider on a contractual basis?

Answer: First, the operator itself must prove compliance with the requirements of the IT Security Catalogue in the form of a certificate. Independently of this, the service provider must also meet certain security criteria, whereby proof is provided through an independent certification procedure. More detailed information can be found in the notice of the BNetzA on certification in accordance with the IT Security Catalogue Section 11 (1a) and (1b) EnWG in the case of operational management by third parties.

Question: Is there an obligation to report if a malfunction occurs?

Answer: Yes, pursuant to Section 11 (1c) EnWG, operators of energy plants that have been designated as critical infrastructure must report faults that have led to a failure or to a significant impairment of the functionality of the energy plant concerned, or significant faults that may lead to a failure or to a significant impairment of the functionality of the energy plant concerned, to the BSI without delay - i.e. without culpable hesitation - via the designated contact point. A malfunction is deemed to have occurred if the technology used can no longer fulfil its intended function properly or completely, or if an attempt has been made to influence it accordingly.

Question: Do operators of critical infrastructures have to register?

Answer: Yes, operators of critical infrastructures are obliged to register the facilities they operate with the BSI and to designate a contact point, Section 8b (3) BSIG. Furthermore, it must be ensured that the operator can be reached via the contact point at all times. Registration must take place no later than the first working day after the plant has been classified as a critical infrastructure for the first time or again.

Question: Are there any other obligations that need to be observed?

Answer: In principle, operators of critical infrastructures must notify the BMI of the planned first use of a so-called critical component (Section 2 (13) BSIG) prior to its use, Section 9b (1) BSIG. Critical components are only those that are specifically defined by law. So far, this notification requirement is mainly relevant in the area of telecommunications.

Question: What are the fines for non-compliance with the above obligations?

Answer: In principle, violations of the BSIG can be punished with fines of up to 20 million euros; the EnWG provides for a fine of up to 5 million euros. Due to the graduated catalogue of sanctions, however, these amounts are only relevant for certain - particularly serious - violations, such as violations of certain enforceable orders of the BSI. In contrast, violations of the IT security and reporting obligations of Section 11 EnWG constitute administrative offences pursuant to Section 95 (1) nos. 2a, 2b EnWG, which can be punished with a fine of up to one hundred thousand euros, Section 95 (2) Sentence 1 EnWG. A violation of the registration obligation under section 8b (3) BSIG is punishable by a fine of up to five hundred thousand euros pursuant to section 14 (2) no. 5, (5) sentence 2 BSIG; failure to ensure that the contact point is accessible is punishable by a fine of up to one hundred thousand euros, section 14 (2) no. 6, (5) sentence 2 BSIG. 

Question: Are there any foreseeable changes in the legal situation?

Answer: Yes, because at European level the legislative process for the so-called “NIS2 Directive” is already well advanced. Recently, the European Parliament and the Council agreed on a compromise version. The NIS2 Directive is intended to increase the requirements for cyber security and to harmonise Member State requirements. In particular, there will no longer be sector-specific thresholds; instead, it will be primarily the field of activity of a company and its size (number of employees and annual turnover or balance sheet) that will determine whether it falls under the scope of the directive as a “essential” or “important entity”. On the legal consequences side, the requirements for sufficient cyber security risk management are to be increased and the reporting obligations extended. Furthermore, the authorities will be granted extended powers. Companies do not have anything to fear at the moment, because after the Directive enters into force, which is not yet finally foreseeable, a 21-month implementation period begins for the Member States according to the current draft. However, in view of the threat of fines of up to 10 million euros or up to 2% of the total worldwide turnover in the previous business year, companies should keep a close eye on further developments in order to be able to take the necessary steps for NIS2 compliance in good time.

Summary

In the recent months, German wind energy companies have allegedly already fallen victim to cyberattacks on several occasions. Cybersecurity in the energy sector is also in focus in light of recent geopolitical developments. Moreover, with the lowering of the thresholds, medium-sized plants from the onshore wind and solar sectors, as well as virtually every offshore wind farm, are now also considered critical infrastructure. Operators of such energy plants must observe various legal requirements in order to protect them appropriately and avoid the risk of fines.

Are you an operator, operating manager, energy supply company, manufacturer of wind turbines or grid operator, or are you simply interested in this topic and have related questions? We look forward to hearing from you.