The Estlink 2 undersea power cable, which links Finland and Estonia across the Baltic Sea, is back in action after repairs were completed ahead of schedule.
Elering, the Estonian transmission system operator, shared the good news on Friday, as reported by DPA.
This cable stretches 171 kilometers and had been out of commission since December 25, 2024, when a ship’s anchor caused significant damage. A specialized repair vessel was sent out, and they managed to remove the damaged section about a kilometer long and replace it with a new cable.
Investigation Into Cable Damage
The source of the damage to Estlink 2 was traced to the anchor of a vessel operating nearby. At that time, several communications cables in the Baltic Sea also suffered damage. Finnish authorities detained the tanker Eagle S, which was in the vicinity of the incident. Investigators believe the crew may have intentionally dragged the anchor across the seabed, leading to the destruction. The anchor was later retrieved from the Baltic Sea floor.
Finnish police have wrapped up their investigation. Three crew members from the Eagle S, including the captain, are under suspicion for serious sabotage and for disrupting postal and telecommunications infrastructure. They are currently prohibited from leaving Finland while the prosecutor’s office reviews potential charges. The ship itself was allowed to leave Finnish waters in early March.
Strategic Infrastructure
Estlink 2 is one of two undersea electricity cables linking Estonia and Finland. Operational since 2014, it includes 145 kilometers of seabed cable. The first link, Estlink 1, came online in 2007. Plans for a third cable, Estlink 3, are already underway. The main goal of these projects is to ensure reliable electricity supply between the two regions and to further integrate their energy markets.
