Increased Naval Patrols Following Estlink 2 Cable Damage Concerns Baltic Energy Security
Estonia’s naval authorities have amplified patrols in the Baltic Sea in response to last month’s suspected sabotage of the Estlink 2 power cable, which provides half of the country’s winter electricity needs. Fortunately, officials confirmed that despite the damage, energy service remained uninterrupted. However, regional energy prices have surged in Estonia and neighboring Baltic nations, including Latvia and Lithuania.
Following the incident on December 25, which also impacted communication links between Finland and Estonia, Estonian navy ships, including the minehunter EML Sakala, have been actively monitoring maritime activity. “The main thing is to show force,” stated Lt. Cmdr. Meelis Kants aboard the Sakala. The vessel’s crew has engaged approximately 200 ships over the past week, employing binoculars and cameras to identify any suspicious behaviors.
The incident has heightened fears of further damage to undersea cables, which are critical for regional trade and energy security, particularly against the backdrop of rising tensions with Russia. Though the Kremlin has denied any involvement in damage to the cables, significant concerns remain regarding a potential increase in sabotage incidents, especially since there have been at least ten cable damages reported in the Baltic Sea since 2023.
The undersea cables, located in a busy shipping route and largely exposed to regular maritime traffic, are vital for linking Nordic, Baltic, and central European markets while reducing dependency on Russian energy resources. Following assessments, repairs to the Estlink 2 are expected to cost tens of millions of euros and may not be finalized until late summer, leaving Estonia reliant on domestically produced energy and potentially elevated consumer costs.
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