Recent Baltic Cable Damage Raises Concerns for HVDC Infrastructure
The recent damage to undersea telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea has sparked concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure, including High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cables, to potential sabotage. This incident has highlighted the emerging risks faced by both existing and planned HVDC cable networks, which are crucial for long-distance power transmission and the integration of renewable energy sources.
The Baltic Sea Incident
On November 17 and 18, 2024, two undersea fiber-optic cables in the Baltic Sea were severed, disrupting communications between Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Lithuania. The damaged cables include the C-Lion1 cable connecting Helsinki to Rostock and the BCS East-West Interlink cable linking Lithuania and Sweden. The Finnish company Cinia confirmed that its C-Lion1 submarine cable was damaged in the early hours of Monday, November 18, 2024. European officials have suggested that this incident appears to be an act of sabotage, potentially part of a "hybrid warfare" strategy.
Implications for HVDC Infrastructure
While the damaged cables were primarily for telecommunications, this event has raised alarms about the security of HVDC cables, which are becoming increasingly important in the global energy landscape.
The ease with which these cables were damaged demonstrates the vulnerability of undersea infrastructure to deliberate attacks. HVDC cables, which often follow similar undersea routes, could be equally susceptible to such threats. HVDC transmission is crucial for long-distance power transmission and the integration of renewable energy sources.
Unlike AC systems, HVDC systems require extremely fast fault detection and isolation. Protection schemes must detect and isolate faults within 4-6 milliseconds, making them more challenging to secure and maintain.
Emerging Risks and Challenges
The suspected involvement of state actors in the Baltic Sea incident underscores the potential for critical energy infrastructure to become a target in geopolitical conflicts. The concept of hybrid warfare, which includes targeting critical infrastructure, poses a new challenge for the security of HVDC networks. As HVDC systems become more advanced, they may also become more vulnerable to cyber-attacks and other technological threats.
The November 2024 incident in the Baltic Sea raises an alarm for the energy sector. As countries increasingly rely on HVDC transmission for their energy needs, protecting these critical assets becomes paramount. Industry experts and policymakers must now consider enhanced physical security measures for undersea HVDC cables, development of more robust and redundant HVDC networks, implementation of advanced monitoring and rapid response systems and international cooperation to protect cross-border energy infrastructure.
As the global energy landscape continues to evolve, ensuring the security and reliability of HVDC infrastructure will be crucial for maintaining stable power supplies and achieving climate goals. The recent Baltic Sea incident has brought this challenge into sharp focus, prompting a reevaluation of security strategies for critical energy assets.
