by The Swedish Security Police (Sapo) has warned that the country faces an increased risk of sabotage of Sweden’s electricity grid and has called for more resources to monitor the energy sector.
Both Sapo and the Swedish Energy Agency have sounded the alarm that the country’s energy supply may be at increased risk of sabotage and have sent letters to companies that operate the electricity grid to be more vigilant about possible sabotage attempts.
“We are going out and talking about increased vigilance regarding central infrastructure in Sweden. The energy sector must take steps to protect what needs to be protected,” Carl Melin, press officer at the Swedish Security Service, told SVT television.
Sapo and the Swedish Energy Agency called for extra vigilance after the alleged sabotage of Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, but did not reveal whether Sweden has seen any recent sabotage attempts in the country.
The Swedish Civil Emergencies Agency warns that the country is not prepared, saying that businesses and vulnerable people are at great risk. https://t.co/B2jtSaNG8d
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) September 22, 2022
Erik Nordman of Sweden’s public electricity transmission system operator Svenska kraftnät said increased vigilance could take several forms, saying: “It could be about increasing surveillance around critical infrastructure – it could also be IT systems. It is clear that we now have a more serious security situation.”
Already this year, Sweden has reported huge increases in the price of electricity in some parts of the country, with prices rising as much as 400 percent in August due to rising demand from countries such as Germany as well as low production from domestic sources energy such as wind energy.
Sweden’s Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) warned last month that Sweden is ill-prepared for the coming winter energy crisis and that businesses and vulnerable people could be at risk if shortages and outages occur.
Unfortunately, readiness is generally very poor. Already in 2011, we identified 50,000 socially important businesses that depend on electricity in Sweden. Very few of them have reserve power today,” said MSB director of supply readiness Jan-olof Olsson.
“The consequence is that many businesses, shops and companies simply close in the event of a power outage because there is no plan b,” added Olsson.
Swedish electricity prices have risen by 400 percent since last year, as costs for other goods such as food and alcoholic beverages continue to rise as well. https://t.co/o7Sl3wQxtu
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) August 19, 2022
