On December 25, 2024, the Estlink 2 submarine cable, which connects the electrical grids of Finland and Estonia, experienced an outage, disrupting the electricity transmission between the two countries. The interruption, reported at 12:26 local time, occurred while transferring 658 megawatts from Finland to Estonia. Authorities in both countries have launched an investigation to determine the causes of this incident, including the possibility of sabotage.
Concerns Over the Security of Submarine Infrastructure
Fingrid, Finland’s national electricity grid operator, confirmed that the cable is currently out of service and that the causes of the damage are still unclear. Arto Pahkin, head of Fingrid’s dispatch service, stated that “the possibility of vandalism cannot be ruled out.” He added that the situation is being assessed as a whole, and they will provide information on the origin of the fault once more details are available. This incident has raised concerns due to increasing international tensions and risks associated with submarine infrastructures.
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo attempted to reassure the public by stating that “even on Christmas, authorities are vigilant and addressing the situation.” He also assured that there would be no immediate impact on electricity supply for consumers, which has helped ease concerns during the holiday season.
History of Similar Incidents in the Region
The Estlink 2 case is not an isolated incident. This year, other damages to submarine cables in the region have been reported, such as those connecting Finland with Germany and Sweden with Lithuania. These incidents have led authorities to investigate whether they could be related to deliberate acts. Previous damage to infrastructures, such as the Nord Stream pipelines, which were attributed to sabotage, has heightened fears regarding the security of these critical systems.
In the case of the Gulf of Finland, suspicious activities have been detected in recent months. Among them, the presence of vessels, such as the Chinese-origin “Yi Peng 3,” has raised alarm among those responsible for the security of these infrastructures. This has prompted both Finland and Estonia to intensify surveillance of their underwater networks.
Meanwhile, the Estonian network operator, Elering, has also pointed to the possibility of international sabotage. “Authorities are on high alert regarding submarine infrastructure in the Baltic,” stated a spokesperson for the organization. However, the complex nature of these systems poses significant challenges for investigations.
Impact and Need for Enhanced Security Measures
The incident with Estlink 2 highlights the fragility of submarine energy infrastructures and the importance of establishing stricter security protocols. The region heavily relies on these connections to ensure the stability of its electricity supply, and any disruption can have serious consequences for both economies and citizens.
As investigations progress, authorities are working to provide clear answers regarding what transpired. However, this case underscores the need for closer international cooperation to protect energy networks and ensure their security against potential attacks or human errors.
For now, Estlink 1, the second cable connecting Finland and Estonia, continues to operate normally and has a capacity of 350 megawatts. However, the disconnection of Estlink 2, which has a capacity of 650 megawatts, emphasizes the importance of keeping both connections operational for the energy stability of the region.
The future of these infrastructures will depend on the Baltic countries’ ability to respond to increasing threats and ensure the resilience of their systems. Authorities promise to keep the public informed as inspections continue and the details of this concerning incident come to light.
via: the pinnacle gazette and Yle