News

Solar farms and other renewable energy sites are increasingly being targeted by criminals, with copper theft one of the most common and costly issues. As copper prices continue to rise, organised crime groups across Europe, including in the UK, Spain, and Germany, are exploiting opportunities to steal cables and materials, leading to major disruption and financial loss.

Matthew Uttley, DeterTech’s Head of Renewable Energy, explains:
“The main issue tends to be copper theft, and for most solar, wind, and EV charging sites, all of the cables tend to be copper. Even a small incident with just a little bit of cable being stolen sets back energy production.”

At DeterTech, we work across solar, wind, EV charging, and other renewable sectors to reduce these risks. Our intelligence-led approach combines technology with deep policing experience to identify, prevent, and respond to crime. With many of our monitoring and survey staff being former police officers, we can quickly distinguish genuine threats and act fast… our average response time is just 47 seconds.

Our crime intelligence team also analyses regional data to predict potential hotspots, enabling clients to take proactive action before incidents occur. This insight helps renewable energy operators minimise downtime and loss while improving site safety and resilience.

Recent DeterTech data highlights the growing challenge:

• Copper prices hit $10,500 per metric ton in October 2025, the highest since May 2024.

• Multiple large-scale thefts across northwest England in September 2025 impacted solar and rail infrastructure, causing significant economic losses.

• In one case near Preston, stolen string cables reduced a solar site’s energy output by 40%.

Through tailored security solutions, including rapid-deploy security solutions, intruder detection, and enhanced police partnerships, DeterTech continues to help renewable energy providers safeguard assets, maintain efficiency, and deter organised crime.