"Gotland is most exposed – can be completely without power"

There has been no shortage of warnings about the vulnerability of pipelines and cables on the seabed.

In the media, it has often been about fiber cables that connect the internet, but electricity lines are also usually mentioned.

But when the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines were blown up, seabed warfare became a real threat. Or as a leading figure in the total defense describes it: "We have known for a long time that the risk exists, but it was still an awakening".

Submarine cables are now suddenly being discussed at all levels.

Damage minimisation planned

When the Nordic defence ministers met at Harpsund earlier this year, Defence Minister Pål Jonson (M) stated that cooperation between the countries to protect pipelines on the seabed had been discussed.

Just last week, Navy Chief Ewa Skoog Haslum told reporters that they are convinced that Russia has mapped underwater infrastructure and that a hostile operation against these pipelines is a scenario they are preparing for.

At the same time, plans are also being made locally and regionally for how the harmful effects can be reduced if Swedish power lines are attacked.

Gotland is the most vulnerable.

Identified as Russian targets

According to documents from the County Administrative Board, 50 percent of the island's power supply comes via two cables from the mainland. The remaining 50 percent comes from locally produced wind power.

Both the mainland cables and wind farms have been identified as targets for Russia's survey.

On Gotland, the population's resilience is now being prepared through campaigns on increased home preparedness.

At the same time, a process is underway regarding the construction of a reserve port in Kappelshamn that can be used by both the Swedish Armed Forces and Destination Gotland. The project is directly linked to the electricity supply according to documents from the County Administrative Board. Among other things, it is about securing the transport of fuel and spare parts for the hospital's reserve power plant, and securing the transport of food if the island's own production suffers after power outages.

The investment is expected to cost hundreds of millions of kronor and next week a meeting will be held with, among others, the Swedish Armed Forces, MSB and the Swedish Fortifications Agency, where they will try to find out who should foot the bill.

After the blowing up of Nord Stream, no one doubts that there are actors in the Baltic Sea that have both the capacity and the will to carry out risky operations.