A recent incident involving a cargo ship in Russia has raised concerns about the vulnerability of critical underwater infrastructure to “grey zone tactics.” The Eagle S tanker, suspected to be part of Russia’s “ghost fleet,” was allegedly involved in damaging the Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia. This incident highlights the growing threat posed by such tactics, including deliberate sabotage of vital infrastructure.

As the UK government pushes forward with plans to increase its reliance on offshore wind farms and underwater power interconnectors to meet net zero targets, the risk of similar attacks on British energy assets becomes a pressing issue. With wind power now being the largest source of electricity in the UK, any disruption to the undersea cables connecting turbines to the mainland could result in widespread blackouts.

The move towards offshore wind farms presents both security challenges and opportunities. While a decentralized energy system with multiple sources of power may be harder to disable in one go, protecting the thousands of turbines and infrastructure at sea poses a significant challenge. The UK currently lacks the resources to effectively monitor and safeguard these assets from potential threats.

Furthermore, the expansion of wind farms in areas off northern and western Britain raises concerns about interference with radar signals, potentially compromising the country’s air defenses. The Ministry of Defence may need to invest in airborne detection systems to counteract the impact of wind turbines on radar systems.

Efforts are underway to find solutions to these challenges, including the use of radar-absorbing paint on turbines, machine learning algorithms to filter out false radar signals, and deploying autonomous underwater drones to patrol and protect subsea cables and wind farms. These technologies could play a crucial role in enhancing security and mitigating risks associated with offshore energy infrastructure.

Ultimately, the government’s focus on clean energy goals must be balanced with ensuring the resilience and security of the country’s energy assets. Innovative solutions and strategic investments in defense capabilities will be essential in safeguarding critical infrastructure against potential threats in the evolving energy landscape.