The “Estlink 2“ submarine power line, which connects Estonia and Finland and was damaged at the end of last year, has now been fully restored and is back in service. It is connected to the energy market, DPA reports, citing local authorities, BTA reports.
The Estonian network operator “Elering“ reported that the repair was carried out using a specialized vessel, went smoothly and was completed earlier than expected. The damaged section of the 170-kilometer cable was removed and replaced with a new one-kilometer segment.
“Estlink 2“ was disconnected from the grid on December 25 after damage caused by a ship's anchor. Damage was later found to several nearby communications cables.
Finnish authorities have detained the tanker Eagle S, which was in the area at the time of the incidents. The ship, which flies the flag of the Cook Islands and is, according to the European Union, part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" - a group of vessels used to circumvent international sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Investigative authorities suspect that the crew of the Eagle S acted deliberately by letting the anchor drag along the seabed, which led to the damage. In early March, Finland released the tanker and allowed it to leave its territorial waters, but banned three crew members, including the captain, from leaving the country.
The Finnish prosecutor's office is continuing to analyze the evidence collected to determine whether to file formal charges, including sabotage and serious disruption of telecommunications services.