60,000 t of oil leaked at substation in Norway
Tonnes of oil leaked from a disused substation after a suspected sabotage act.
Image for illustration purposes
Norway, Oslo: National power grid operator Statnett estimated that roughly 60,000 t of oil leaked at a substation near Oslo on March 16, after the premises were reportedly broken into.
Norwegian police are investigating the break-in at the disused substation. A section of the fence surrounding the perimeter had been cut, and the cover at the bottom of the transformer was unscrewed and left open. Statnett believes the incident was a deliberate act of sabotage. However, the police said they currently lack concrete evidence to verify this claim.
The oil, which poses an environmental risk but is not hazardous to humans, reached the Sandvikselva River near the station. Some of the oil also seeped underground.
Richard Kongsteien, Communication Manager for Bærum municipality, stated that measures were being taken to reduce the environmental impact. Oil barriers and absorbent materials have been put in place to contain and clean up the spill.
Source: Euro News
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