Netherlands: Seabed Warfare on your doorstep!

Netherlands warns of Russian actions on maritime infrastructure

In the Netherlands, state security agencies have foiled a possible sabotage operation against maritime installations in the country's economic zone. These activities are said to have taken place "last autumn", according to Major General Jan Swillens, Director of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD),In a briefing for the media on 20 February 2023, Major General Jan Swillens, Director of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), reported in a press release dated 20 February.

In cooperation between foreign and military intelligence services and the Dutch coastguard and navy, the intelligence operation of a Russian ship to map energy infrastructure off the coast was disrupted. Details of the ship were not disclosed, nor were details of the time and place of the incident. According to previous findings, there was no direct attack in the form of a sabotage operation.

Submarine cable on the seabed. Photo: mfo-stock

According to the head of the military intelligence service, the Russian spy ship was not interested in an escort. However, he admitted that although Russian activities in the North Sea had been known for some time, their objectives and backgrounds had not been clearly recognisable until now. Now, for the first time, an action against a wind farm has been observed and prevented. "We have to assume that they are very interested in how they can disrupt this energy supply."

Classification

The threat assessment of critical infrastructure, which includes energy supply systems, pipelines and undersea cables, has increased significantly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in violation of international law. At the latest, the acts of sabotage against the two Nordstream pipelines have catapulted undersea security aspects directly into the public eye. Wind farms and other offshore collector systems are making an increasingly important contribution to supplying households and industry with energy. Only trouble-free operation can guarantee a stable supply.

Flexible solar cell carpet from Oceans of Energy. Photo: OOE

The Netherlands

The Netherlands maintains large wind farms in its Exclusive Economic Zone off the province of Noord-Holland and around 160 gas and oil production platforms, some of which are also located in Dutch territorial waters. Currently, 3 gigawatts (GW) are generated offshore. New plants off the coast of Zeeland are under construction or in development, which are expected to reach a total capacity of around 21 GW by 2030 once completed.

North Sea

The countries bordering the North Sea, from Belgium to Denmark, have agreed to accelerate and expand the construction of wind farms in the North Sea. The aim is to produce 65 GW by 2030 - and a total capacity of 150 GW in the North Sea by 2050.

Germany

In Germany, the protection of LNG terminals is currently under discussion. According to research by ZDF, lower protection standards apply to them. The facility in Lubmin on the Baltic Sea is virtually on the front line for Russian attacks.

Source: marineschepen.nl