Estonian wind farms spark debate over national security risks
The development of onshore and offshore wind farms limits Estonia's and NATO's defense capabilities, and the installations pose a security threat, stated the head of the Military Intelligence Agency, Colonel Ants Kiviselg, on Thursday. Commander Ivo Vark, the navy commander, shares a similar opinion.
Kiviselg assessed in a Thursday interview with ERR radio that wind farms disrupt radio intelligence, complicate the reception of signals from enemy territory, and shorten early warning times, which are crucial in the event of an attack. He also noted that this negative effect impacts NATO's defense capabilities, especially in detecting foreign objects.
Earlier this month, representatives of the armed forces and the climate ministry assured that they are taking measures to mitigate the potential impact of wind turbines, which are planned to be established by 2033, on military operations.
Even several dozen minutes delay
As part of these efforts, the purchase of new radar systems is planned, which will be particularly implemented on the northwestern coast of Estonia and in the area of the largest islands—Saaremaa and Hiiumaa.
As Kiviselg explained, the shortened early warning time means that detecting a drone that might accidentally cross the Estonian border becomes "more difficult." In a worse scenario, if, for example, Russian Iskander missiles or aircraft-launched missiles are fired, the inability to detect them in the early phase of their maneuvers can result in a delayed response. The military official explained that we are talking here about a delay of minutes or even several dozen minutes.
According to navy commander Ivo Vark, signal detection distortions caused by reflections from moving and stationary turbine blades make it difficult to locate objects at sea. This affects not only combat unit missions but also rescue operations.
Vark said all wind farms in Estonian waters, both territorial and in the special economic zone in the Baltic, disrupt naval operations to varying degrees. The turbines deployed over areas extending several dozen miles create a sort of "barrier."
Swedes halt wind turbine constructions along the coastal belt
He also added that offshore wind farms "also limit the effectiveness of our anti-ship missiles, which are currently operated from land." The commander of the Estonian navy admitted at the same time that he "fully" shares the view of the Swedish armed forces, whose intervention in wind energy plans, due to threats from Russia, recently led the government in Stockholm to reject several wind farm projects along the coastal belt.
Having a similar operational environment, the doctrine of maritime warfare, and even a common adversary, I agree that offshore wind farms pose a security threat, he concluded.
