Starting Today: Innovation Coalition for Cybersecure Energy Transition

Invest in a cyber-secure energy transition. This is the message from eleven organisations — including Security Delta (HSD) — that have joined forces to form the Innovation Coalition Cybersecure Energy Transition. Coordinated by Economic Board Zuid-Holland, they are taking the initiative to collaborate and invest in the cybersecurity of smart energy grids and chains. 

Around 800 organisations in the Netherlands are involved in the energy transition, ranging from electricity grid operators and solar parks to wind farms, district heating systems, and manufacturers and suppliers of batteries, transformers, and charging stations. Energy chains — from generation to consumption — rely on a complex interplay of hardware, software, infrastructure, and suppliers. Digital technologies can make these chains more efficient, manageable, and cost-effective. For example, they can enable real-time balancing of supply and demand and detect and resolve disruptions more quickly. 

However, increasing digitalisation also makes energy chains vulnerable. Cyberattacks on smart grids or manipulation of data exchange could result in largescale power outages, economic damage and loss of control over vital infrastructure. 

Joris den Bruinen, Director Security Delta (HSD): "These are real risks. Without sufficient attention to cybersecurity, digitalisation could actually slow down the energy transition and pose a threat to economic growth, innovation, and security of supply."

Secure by design as foundation of a reliable energy supply 

The new innovation coalition therefore advocates structural investment and collaboration. Den Bruinen: "Networks, devices and applications must be secure and interoperable from the design stage onwards — secure by design. To ensure that energy chains operate safely and reliably, we need to strike the right balance between data confidentiality, integrity, and availability."

Opportunities for the South Holland region  

This is an international challenge that requires joint solutions, a commitment that the coalition partners share. The South Holland region has all the ingredients needed to become a frontrunner in this field.

Den Bruinen: "We have leading knowledge institutions, a strong industrial base, innovative energy infrastructure, advanced laboratories and testing facilities, ethical hackers, powerful public–private partnerships with international connections. However, no single organisation can solve this challenge alone. That’s why grid operators, industry and research institutes are joining forces in the Innovation Coalition Cybersecure Energy Transition." 

The coalition will initially focus on developing smart grids and energy chains that are inherently secure (secure by design) and on unlocking investment and funding opportunities. Den Bruinen: "From applied research and testing in field labs to real-world implementation, the coalition aims to convert the existing knowledge in our region into innovations and scale them up into profitable business models. Through this approach, social innovation with economic impact can be achieved." 

Innovation Coalition For Cybersecure Energy Transition 

The start of the coalition was announced on 8 July 2025 during the 'Knowledge Session: hack-out scenario' at The Green Village at TU Delft. The coalition is founded by Economic Board Zuid-Holland, TNO, TU Delft, KPN, Stedin, Batenburg Techniek, Technolution, The Green Village, Province of South Holland, InnovationQuarter and Security Delta (HSD) in collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam, Westland infra, Dutch Institute for Vulnerability Disclosure (DIVD), European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS), Greenport West-Holland, Topsector ICT, the municipality of The Hague, TU PowerWeb Institute, Living Lab Scheveningen, Campus@Sea, Hi Delta and Duurzaamheidsfabriek.

More info: Knowledge Session: hack-out scenario - The Green Village or contact HSD Innovation Liaison anne.visser@securitydelta.nl.

photo credits: The Green Village / Robèrt Kroonen