National security blueprint launched to protect UK’s renewable energy infrastructure

Produced by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI) in partnership with the National Infrastructure Crime Reduction Partnership (NICRP), the newly launched guide provides a proportionate, risk-based framework for securing solar farms. As solar energy cements its status as a vital pillar of the UK’s national critical infrastructure, this partnership helps ensure that environmental progress is backed by robust security resilience.

The Secured by Design Solar Farm Guide brings together policing, government and industry expertise to help protect the solar energy infrastructure that powers British homes, businesses and transport networks. With the government racing to double the UK's solar capacity to deliver clean power by 2030, safeguarding these multi-million-pound assets from criminal networks is a critical economic and operational priority.

The guide is intended for developers, designers, operators, planning authorities, contractors and security professionals involved in the planning, design, construction and operation of solar farms. It provides practical guidance on proportionate, risk-based security measures to support safe and resilient renewable energy developments.

Preventing theft and criminal damage achieves three critical goals for the industry - ensuring solar infrastructure can consistently deliver clean, cheap power without operational downtime; eliminating huge repair and replacement costs borne by developers following a breach; and reassuring local planners and residents that new utility-scale installations are safe, secure and responsibly managed.

Guy Ferguson, CEO of Police CPI, said: "This guidance is the culmination of partnership work at its best. As the United Kingdom moves ever closer to reliance on renewable energy, we must as a collective understand that organised crime affects every sector of our crucial infrastructure. To secure the future of everything we rely on, we need to remain focused and support not only the police service but those charged with securing these resources. I am grateful to all of those who have contributed to this guidance. I hope it will be of use to developers, local police forces, communities, and planning authorities – all of whom have a vital role to play."

Robin Edwards NICRP Project Lead, said “As a partnership we work closely with our infrastructure partners, police and other enforcement agencies to tackle the threat the sector faces, and we see the document as a significant step forward in terms of protecting the renewable sector. We would like to thank all those that contributed to the document and it highlights what can be achieved when partners pull together with a shared focus to tackle a specific threat.” 

Chris Hewett, CEO of the trade association Solar Energy UK, said: “Theft from solar installations – particularly cabling – is not a mere inconvenience, it’s an impediment to securing permanently lower bills for us all. I welcome Police CPI’s vital new guidance and recommend that our members play close attention to it to secure their assets.”

Victoria Kent, Head of Renewable Energy Underwriting, Aviva, said: “We welcome this guide as the industry and police aligned standard for solar farm security, to help make sure these assets in our communities are properly protected. We’re pleased to have supported its development, contributing to a consistent and robust approach to safeguarding solar assets.”

Heather Gurden, Essex Police, said: “Essex Police Designing Out Crime Officers are proud to have contributed to this important guidance. Protecting solar farms is vital to safeguarding national energy supply. We strongly advocate a layered approach to security, alongside targeted investment in protecting high-value assets within these sites.”

Carole Jones, Crime Prevention Team Leader, Northamptonshire Police, said: “The guide provides excellent practical advice and guidance and will be used to support those concerned with the development and protection of renewable energy sites in the County of Northamptonshire.”

Kim Burnett, Acting Problem Solving Designing Out Crime Lead, Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “Devon and Cornwall Designing Out Crime Officers are proud to have worked in partnership with policing colleagues across the UK and alongside partners within the renewable energy sector to develop this guidance. This document provides best practice and recommendations to support the protection, resilience of solar energy infrastructure and reduce the opportunities for crime, ensuring the safeguarding of the renewable energy infrastructure locally within Devon and Cornwall and nationally.”

The practical guidance is now available here for developers, planners, operators, and security professionals nationwide, supporting the secure and resilient growth of UK’s renewable energy infrastructure.

The full range of Secured by Design guides can be viewed here.