Jamie Stone seeking answers over alleged Russian sabotage threat to wind farms
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Jamie Stone will be putting questions to UK government ministers "at the earliest possible opportunity" following revelations about alleged Russian spy ships in the North Sea and a potential sabotage risk to the Beatrice offshore wind farm as well as other vital infrastructure.
The Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross says it is inconceivable that a hostile state should be allowed to pose such a threat.
Broadcasters in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland who undertook a joint investigation claimed that Russia has a fleet of vessels disguised as trawlers and research boats operating in parts of the North Sea, including the Moray Firth.
Mr Stone said: "The North Sea is the UK’s single most vital energy asset – both oil, and present and future wind. It is our energy Crown Jewels.
"I shall be tabling appropriate questions to defence ministers at the earliest possible opportunity. It is inconceivable that we allow any hostile state to threaten it in any way."
In a new documentary series, journalists from DR, NRK, SVT and Yle allege Russia is waging "hybrid warfare" which includes espionage activity and advanced underwater programmes. It has prompted fears about possible sabotage to wind farms and communication cables in the North Sea.
The £2.5 billion Beatrice wind farm is 13km from the Caithness coast at its nearest point. It is Scotland's second largest offshore wind farm, with 84 turbines giving a capacity of 588MW.
The broadcasters focused on a Russian ship, the Admiral Vladimirsky, officially classed as an underwater research vessel. They allege that it is actually a spy ship, part of a fleet checking key energy sites.
The ship is reported to have been seen off Scotland's east coast in November last year. It was observed near the Beatrice wind farm, according to the broadcasters, as well as in areas off the north-east coast and Angus where there are wind energy sites.
The documentary series, The Shadow War, had a joint Nordic premiere on Wednesday.
The journalists tracked the movements of the Admiral Vladimirsky in the vicinity of a number of wind farms.
Danish broadcaster DR released a video showing a reporter approaching in a small boat and seeing a man on the deck of the ship wearing a balaclava and military-style gear and carrying what appeared to be an assault rifle.
It is understood to have been filmed off the Danish coast in November.
DR News editor-in-chief Thomas Falbe said: "The extent of Russia's secret activities in the Nordics will surprise most people. The potential to undermine our democracies is a latent threat that requires public attention.
"The task of uncovering Russia's intelligence operations in the Nordics has been difficult and has only been possible thanks to a unique collaboration across the Nordic public service broadcasters."
Beatrice is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, Red Rock Power, The Renewables Infrastructure Group and Equitix with its operations and maintenance base at Wick harbour. The wind farm was completed in 2019, providing work for about 90 staff.
Cabinet Office secretary Oliver Dowden warned this week that Britain's National Cyber Security Centre has seen a rise in Russian-aligned groups sympathetic to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
He described them as "fringe state threats" – the cyber equivalent of the Wagner mercenary group – that have begun to turn their attention to the UK and its allies.
"We have experienced attempted attacks in the past, but these groups operate differently," Mr Dowden said. "Instead of seeking to profit or spy on us, their primary motive is to disrupt or destroy our infrastructure."
