Speaking to The i Paper, Dearlove outlined the risk of using Chinese technology in the UK’s wind farms, solar panels, electric cars and other green energy infrastructure.
Dearlove said: “The problem is you’ve got the ideological Ed Miliband pursuing zero carbon without a thought for the impact on national security.”
Dearlove has previously warned against relying on China for Britain’s energy infrastructure over security fears but his latest intervention marks the starkest warning yet over the security implications of new green technology that relies on Chinese supply chains.
It also puts pressure on Miliband, whose supporters fear there is growing resistance to his net zero policies within Downing Street and the Treasury.
Chinese components – dubbed by some as “kill switches” – have reportedly been discovered in American solar panels, prompting fears that huge disruption could be wrought on their energy grid. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington previously hit back, criticising the “distorting and smearing China’s infrastructure achievements”.
The former head of the Secret Intelligence Service says he believes Miliband is aware of the problem but is not taking it seriously enough.
Read Next
square EVS ExclusiveRead More
“It’s so irrational, it is seriously problematic,” he said.
Dearlove served on the board of American oil company Kosmos Energy from 2012 to 2023.
What Governments can do about the threat from technology
Dearlove is raising the alarm alongside the Coalition for Secure Technology, with whom he jointly briefed MPs last week on the threat of Chinese technology, which he believes could bring UK cities to a standstill by knocking out traffic lights and immobilising cars.
“The answer probably is to try to develop manufacturing in countries that we trust, which can ultimately replace Chinese technology.
China has made great strides in developing technology early and cheaply, leaving many countries, including the UK, reliant on its imports.
Sir Richard Dearlove ran MI6 between 1999 and 2004, (Photo: Christopher Cox/Mail on Sunday)
The former spy boss believes the UK government is slowly becoming more aware of the issue, and has in the past acted to remove potentially hostile Chinese technology when they blocked the tech giant Huawei from the country’s 5G public networks.
“It’s difficult for them, in particular because of the way Miliband has been given this free hand on zero carbon, which cuts right across a lot of these issues.
Dearlove added: “If you’re building a grid, for example, which is partially dependent on the switching mechanisms for accommodating renewables, it may be of Chinese manufacture. These are massive points of vulnerability.”
Miliband has previously warned that an anti-net zero agenda would risk “climate breakdown” and “forfeit the clean energy jobs of the future”.
The Chinese Embassy in London has been approached for a comment.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Miliband’s net zero policy is ‘threat to national security’ warns ex head of MI6 )
Also on site :