Estlink 2 HVDC Cable Attacked
Finnish authorities are currently investigating a potential case of infrastructure sabotage involving Estlink 2, the HVDC cable connecting Finland and Estonia. The Estlink 2 cable, which became inoperative on December 25th, is thought to have been damaged by a vessel's anchor. The ship in question, named Eagle S, is registered in the Cook Islands but is believed to be part of a fleet that transports embargoed oil products. This incident adds to a series of similar occurrences in the Baltic region over recent years, where underwater cables have been damaged or completely severed.
This event is particularly unfortunate for the Estlink 2 operators, Elering & Fingrid, as a failure of the cable in January 2024 saw the system out-of-service until July, taking 210 days to repair. The new outage is likely to take months to repair once again, and could impact electricity prices in Estonia and other Baltic states, particularly during periods of low renewable energy production.
The incident also raises concerns about the Baltic states' planned synchronization with the Continental European grid in February 2025, and the security of subsea interconnectors as the region moves toward enhanced energy independence.
While the cable remains out of service, Finland's national grid operator, Fingrid, has assured that the country's electricity system is not at risk. However, repairs are anticipated to take several months. Finnish law enforcement is treating the case as a serious criminal matter. The incident has prompted responses from high-level officials:
- Finland's President received a briefing on the situation and emphasized the need to address risks posed by certain vessels.
- Estonia's Foreign Minister expressed concern about the frequency of such incidents, suggesting they may no longer be viewed as accidental.
- The European Union has condemned the event and is considering additional measures against those potentially responsible.
According to the MInister of Infrastructure of Estonia, "It is obvious that underwater infrastructure needs more effective protection than before. We are currently developing new monitoring systems that would help monitor the situation both above and below water. This will help improve response, detect failures faster and increase deterrence."
Broader Context
This event occurs against a backdrop of similar incidents in the Baltic Sea region:
- A telecommunications cable between Finland and Germany was damaged in November.
- An internet link between Lithuania and Sweden's Gotland Island ceased functioning around the same time.
- In October 2023, a natural gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia suffered severe damage, later attributed to a Chinese container ship's anchor.
These occurrences have raised concerns about the security of critical underwater infrastructure in the region. Authorities are strengthening efforts to protect these vital communication and energy links. As investigations continue, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding submarine cables and pipelines that are important for international connectivity and energy distribution.
