Electric cable near Nord Stream explosions to be checked in Sweden
STOCKHOLM, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) — Tests will be carried out on an electricity cable between Sweden and Poland to see if it has been damaged by one of the Nord Stream pipeline explosions, Swedish grid operator Svenska Kraftnat said on Thursday.
The cable, located about 500 meters from one of the explosions, is currently not in operation, according to a report from Sweden’s Television.
“We don’t know how serious the underwater detonation was. To make sure nothing has happened (to the cable), we will carry out tests early next week.” Per Kvarnefalk, senior vice president of Svenska Kraftnat’s project division, was quoted.
The cable has been in operation since the 1990s and is important for the import and export of electricity between Sweden and countries south of the Baltic Sea.
“We could do without the cable for a while, but it would have an impact if it was unusable for an extended period,” Kvarnefalk said.
The security police are now investigating the two leaks that took place in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone, the Baltic Sea.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said “the detonations must be seen in the light of the security policy situation.” However, she added that the Swedish government has so far refrained from speculation.