North Sea internet cables to get better anti-sabotage protection

"Ten countries agreed at the North Sea Conference in Hamburg to jointly improve the security of internet cables, energy pipelines, and transformer platforms. The agreements are intended to prevent sabotage by countries such as Russia. The Netherlands and Belgium are working together with Germany, Denmark, France, Norway, Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, and the European Commission to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure."

"These concerns are not unfounded. Last year, a Russian spy ship sailed for two hours above a crucial transatlantic cable north of Terschelling. The ship, Eagle S, part of the Russian shadow fleet, is equipped with equipment to monitor NATO activities. Russia is suspected of having damaged several internet cables and may have been involved in the explosion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, although Ukrainians are the main suspects in this case."

"In addition to security, the countries have agreed to invest nearly €10 billion in wind farms in the North Sea. By 2030, this should lead to significantly more capacity, with the goal of generating 100 GW of electricity by 2050. Europe wants to become less dependent on third parties, including Russian gas. However, the development is not without obstacles: energy companies consider the risks too great due to increased costs and uncertainty about future demand."

Ten North Sea countries committed to strengthen protection of undersea internet cables, energy pipelines, and transformer platforms and to step up military exercises to respond to sabotage and illegal maritime activities. A Russian spy ship recently patrolled above a transatlantic cable, raising concerns about surveillance and possible cable damage; Russia has been suspected in prior cable incidents and pipeline explosions. The countries agreed to invest nearly €10 billion in North Sea offshore wind to increase capacity by 2030 and aim for 100 GW by 2050, reducing dependence on foreign gas. Cross-border cables and transformer platforms will allow electricity sharing and lower backup gas needs.

Read at Techzine Global