Estlink2 Repair to Cost €60 Million
Repair work on the Estlink2 power cable in the Gulf of Finland is expected to cost between €50 million and €60 million, Finnish grid operator Fingrid said on Thursday. The cable, which transmits electricity between Finland and Estonia, was damaged on 25 December 2024 by the oil tanker Eagle S, which dragged its anchor over the seabed.
Fingrid deployed a repair vessel to the site in mid-May. While marine traffic has complicated the operation, weather conditions have been favourable, according to Fingrid’s Head of Submarine Cable Operations Kimmo Nepola.
“The repair is highly complex,” Nepola said. “About a kilometre of damaged cable must be replaced. The old cable will be joined to a spare line via a 15–20 metre section assembled manually. It’s extremely demanding and time-consuming work.”
The structure of the cable, weighing 80 kg per metre, poses additional challenges for both the vessel and its equipment.
Fingrid aims to restore electricity transmission through Estlink2 by mid-July, but final scheduling depends on progress in the coming weeks. “We will issue an updated timeline in June based on how the sea operation advances,” Nepola said.
The projected cost estimate does not include losses from untransmitted electricity.
Estlink2 plays a crucial role in cross-border electricity flows, and the damage has prompted renewed discussions around infrastructure security. Nepola said the incident has underscored the need for better protection of undersea cables.
“Improved cooperation between authorities, more effective monitoring, and stronger response measures are key areas for development,” he said. The target lifespan for the repaired cable is 40 years.
A criminal investigation into the incident is close to completion. According to Risto Lohi, Chief Inspector at the National Bureau of Investigation (KRP), three crew members of the Eagle S are suspected of causing the damage. The investigation initially involved nine suspects and focused on potential aggravated sabotage and serious interference with communications.
“The investigation into damage to both the power and multiple data cables on 25 December is in its final stages,” Lohi said. “A final statement will be submitted to prosecutors for review shortly.”
The Eagle S tanker was seized during the investigation but left Finnish waters in March.
The ship has since been linked to the so-called “shadow fleet” used by Russia to bypass EU sanctions. The latest EU sanctions package reportedly includes the Eagle S among its targets.
