The CEO of the energy industry on cable crime: “In a bad scenario, the adequacy of electricity will be put to the test”

The electrical cable EstLink 2 between Finland and Estonia was damaged on Christmas Day at 12:26 p.m.

Energy industry CEO Jukka Leskelän according to the situation is serious. However, there is no acute upward pressure on the price of electricity.

According to him, EstLink 2 is significant in terms of electricity sufficiency and price, as it ensures sufficient electricity in Finland when there is a shortage of electricity.

Problems can therefore arise if the need for electricity rises clearly.

According to him, there is still no reason to assume that there will be electricity shortages. But in a bad scenario, the sufficiency of electricity is put to the test.

“For example, during long, cold and windless periods, significant amounts of electricity have been received from Estonia. Now it is not available as much there.”

“There are no backup power plants in Finland that could fix the situation.”

Then the prices will rise high and the role of demand for electricity will play an important role. In other words, in this case demand should be significantly more flexible.

Leskelä reminds that this happened at the beginning of last year, when there was a long very cold period in Finland. Now Olkiluoto 3 is in use, which naturally makes the situation easier compared to a couple of years ago.

He emphasizes that at the moment, however, we are in a normal situation. That is, electricity flows from Finland to Estonia.

“This can raise prices in Estonia significantly.”

“Very serious matter”

The widow reminds that the same cable has been out of use for most of the year because it was damaged at the beginning of the year. As a result, Estonia has suffered from higher electricity prices during the current year. The cable was put into use in early autumn.

All submarine cables that cross national borders are critical EU infrastructure and important for the electricity market and system.

“There is no cable that does not matter. In that sense, this is a really serious matter,” says Leskelä.

According to him, we must be able to react so that similar activities do not continue in the Baltic Sea. He is clear that not everything can be a coincidence.

“This is of course a matter for the EU and NATO, not just the Baltic Sea.”

At the Boxing Day press conference, the head of the Central Criminal Police Robin Lardot said that the criminal title comes from gross negligence or intent. This and the motive for the act are currently being investigated.