Estonia Strengthens Security for Its Electric Network After Incident in the Baltic Sea

Following the rupture of the EstLink 2 cable connecting Finland and Estonia, Tallinn deploys its navy to protect underwater energy infrastructure, highlighting the urgency of ensuring regional energy security.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The Baltic Sea is once again at the center of tensions. Estonia has decided to deploy naval patrols near the underwater energy infrastructure connecting the country to Finland. This decision follows an incident on Wednesday involving the EstLink 2 cable, a crucial element of the regional electricity network. According to initial investigations, a suspicious oil tanker, the Eagle S, flying the Cook Islands flag, is believed to be the cause of the rupture.

Finnish authorities, in coordination with their Estonian counterparts, quickly seized the Eagle S, identified as part of a “ghost fleet.” This term refers to vessels suspected of opaque operations, often linked to Russian energy exports. Escorted by a Finnish patrol near Porkkala, about 30 kilometers from Helsinki, the tanker is now under investigation to determine its exact role in the incident.

A Context of Security Tensions

Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced that the national navy would be deployed around EstLink 1, another submarine cable connecting the two countries. This initiative aims to prevent potential further damage and sends a clear message about Estonia’s determination to protect its critical infrastructure.

“We are ready to defend our connections with Finland, even through military means if necessary,” stated the minister. He also mentioned measures to counter attacks using non-military methods, reflecting increased vigilance against hybrid threats.

European and Atlantic Support

Finland, for its part, has received significant support from the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Both entities expressed solidarity in the ongoing investigation, described as a potential sabotage. While severe, such incidents are not isolated. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, infrastructure in the Baltic Sea has regularly been targeted, intensifying concerns about regional energy security.

Protecting Strategic Infrastructure

The EstLink network is essential for the electrical interconnection between the Baltic countries and Scandinavia, contributing to the region’s stability and energy independence. The incident highlights the growing challenges related to the security of critical infrastructure in a tense geopolitical context.

According to experts, protecting these submarine infrastructures requires joint efforts and significant investments. Often perceived as invisible and invulnerable, submarine cables are now at the heart of strategic concerns for many countries.

While the investigation into the exact causes of the incident continues, this event underscores the importance of proactive measures to prevent and respond to emerging threats in sensitive areas such as the Baltic Sea.

Manila plans to expand gas and renewable energy production to meet a 6.6% increase in electricity demand over the next two years.
Ottawa and London increased bilateral exchanges to structure strategic cooperation on nuclear energy and critical minerals supply chains, as part of Canada’s G7 presidency.
Donald Trump says he secured Narendra Modi’s commitment to end Russian oil imports, adding political pressure to India-Russia trade relations.
Under intense diplomatic pressure from Washington, member states of the International Maritime Organization agreed to postpone by one year the adoption of a carbon pricing mechanism for global maritime transport.
Washington confirms it has mandated the CIA to carry out secret actions against Nicolas Maduro’s government, escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela amid geostrategic and energy stakes.
Two European Parliament committees propose to advance the full halt of Russian hydrocarbon imports to 2026 and 2027, including oil, gas, and LNG, strengthening the European Union’s geopolitical position.
The COP30 conference hosted in the Amazon by Brazil faces low participation from global leaders, amid geopolitical tensions and major logistical challenges.
The United States has granted Trinidad and Tobago a special licence to resume negotiations with Venezuela on the Dragon gas field, partially lifting restrictions imposed on the Venezuelan energy sector.
Ambassadors of European Union member states have approved the transmission of a legislative proposal to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by January 2028 to the Council of Ministers.
The State Duma has approved Russia’s formal withdrawal from a treaty signed with the United States on the elimination of military-grade plutonium, ending over two decades of strategic nuclear cooperation.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said it was not in Poland’s interest to extradite to Germany a Ukrainian citizen suspected of taking part in the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022.
Al-Harfi and SCLCO signed agreements with Syrian authorities to develop solar and wind capacity, amid an ongoing energy rapprochement between Riyadh and Damascus.
Faced with risks to Middle Eastern supply chains, Thai and Japanese refiners are turning to US crude, backed by tariff incentives and strategies aligned with ongoing bilateral trade discussions.
France intercepted a tanker linked to Russian exports, prompting Emmanuel Macron to call for a coordinated European response to hinder vessels bypassing oil sanctions.
The activation of the snapback mechanism reinstates all UN sanctions on Iran, directly affecting the defence, financial and maritime trade sectors.
Commissioner Dan Jørgensen visits Greenland to expand energy ties with the European Union, amid plans to double EU funding for the 2028–2034 period.
European and Iranian foreign ministers meet in New York to try to prevent the reinstatement of UN sanctions linked to Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announces a bilateral agreement with Mexico including targeted investments in energy corridors, logistics infrastructure and cross-border security.
The US president has called for an immediate end to Russian oil imports by NATO countries, denouncing a strategic contradiction as sanctions against Moscow are being considered.
Tehran withdrew a resolution denouncing attacks on its nuclear facilities, citing US pressure on IAEA members who feared suspension of Washington’s voluntary contributions.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.