A former MI6 boss has warned against over-reliance on Chinese investment in Britain's wind energy infrastructure.
Sir Richard Dearlove issued the warning as he claimed energy secretary Ed Miliband would ignore the advice of security services, instead pursuing an "ideologically driven" bid to achieve net zero targets.
It comes as chancellor Rachel Reeves is today due to return from a three-day trip to China to whip up investment in Britain.
Speaking to The Times, Dearlove claimed it was a “strategic issue” to ask Chinese companies to “help us build a highly disordered energy system”.
The former MI6 chief said that China would be able to “reprogram” components connected to the energy grid “without our control”.
He went on: “I’m sure the Chinese are absolutely delighted to contribute to the weakening of our industrial base. We’re rushing to create a zero-carbon economy dependent on renewables which will eventually weaken our economic position.”
A government spokesman countered that the biggest risk to energy security was “staying dependent on fossil fuel markets”.
They added: "Only by sprinting to clean power by 2030 can the UK take back control of its energy and protect both family and national finances from fossil fuel price spikes. Investment in the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny. We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.”