Last week, Norwegian vehicles belonging to Statnett were loaded with important equipment. Equipment to assist Ukraine in rebuilding infrastructure. The lorries’ route out of Norway and further through Europe has been kept secret for fear of possible sabotage and terrorist attacks. The cars were handed over at a secret depot in Poland to be transported on by local drivers into Ukraine. news has not been able to tell about this until the equipment was safely in place in the war-torn country. Bomber power plant Lieutenant Colonel and professor at the Norwegian Defense College, Tormod Heier. Photo: news – More and more of the national defense capability is being digitized and thus becomes much more dependent on electricity to function, says Tormod Heier, professor of military strategy and operations at the Norwegian Defense College in Oslo. Russian missiles are aimed at electrical installations in Ukraine. The purpose is to paralyze facilities that supply electricity to, for example, payment services, systems that control water and sewerage, the Internet and train and air connections. – And not least the military systems, says Heier. – A genuine desire to help The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to major damage and destruction to the local power grid. Statnett is responsible for the supply of electricity in Norway, and they have a sister company in Ukraine that is responsible for the same. Elisabeth Vike Vardheim, Executive Vice President Nett, Statnett. Photo: Per Håkon Solberg / news – This means that we are also an emergency preparedness organization and that we have the opportunity to help them with emergency preparedness in a war. Because this comes from a genuine desire to help, says Elisabeth Vike Vardheim, Executive Vice President Nett, Statnett. This is exactly what Statnett is now doing: Helping to rebuild the infrastructure in the war-torn country. – When a mast breaks, wires are bombed to pieces and stations are hit, it actually has to come in with both what produces the electricity and what transports the electricity, Vardheim explains. On June 28, it was announced that Ukraine will start electricity trading with its European neighbors. Ukraine has so far been part of a power grid that includes Russia and Belarus. Although they have not imported electricity from Russia for many years, Ukraine has been dependent on the Russian grid company. Statnett prepares the cars with equipment. Photo: Per Håkon Solberg / news A good deed Statnett’s surplus vehicle was loaded with the necessary equipment in the contribution to get the vital power back in. Electrical unit, hydraulic unit, high pressure washer and 30 power masts. Driver Eddie Rune Karlsen would like to drive the cars all the way to Ukraine. Photo: Per Håkon Solberg / news – Then they have the equipment they need, so to speak, to raise masts, says driver Eddie Rune Karlsen who drove one of the cars. The drivers experience the work and the donation as a good deed. To help someone who needs it. – It feels good. That you can contribute little with something. And getting it all the way to those who need it, says Karlsen who adds: – Had I been asked to drive the cars all the way in, I would have done it. Crucial to get the electricity back – Without electricity, it will be difficult to create the close integration between the military systems, says Lieutenant Colonel Tormod Heier about why power supply and networks are a central part of modern warfare. He emphasizes that part of the point of this type of warfare is “to create synergy between the forces that operate on land, in the air and out at sea – and preferably also in space”. Equipment is packed and secured before departure to Ukraine. Photo: Statnett Heier points out that the whole of Ukraine is now facing an existential war in the face of Russia. Then it is important for the will to defend and morale in society that the country does not collapse or be isolated from the rest of the world. – The best source for maintaining the most normalized everyday life possible, in those parts of Ukraine that are not exposed to attack, is precisely that the inhabitants have access to a well-functioning infrastructure. That is absolutely crucial. Important delivery – What is your comment on what Statnett is now doing? – It is a very important component in the reconstruction of Ukrainian society. Not least, he believes that this makes society even more enduring and resilient. – For the national will of defense in Ukraine, I think this will be of great importance to be able to make available as much of the national resources as possible, and channel it into where the war is most urgent so that you do not lose more ground than that forced to.
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