National electricity grid operator Statnett reports that approximately 60,000 tonnes of oil leaked from an inactive electricity transformer station.
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Approximately 60,000 tonnes of oil leaked at a transformer station near Oslo on Sunday following a reported break-in at the location.
On Monday, the Norwegian police announced an investigation into the break-in at the discontinued electricity transformer station in Norway’s Bærum municipality.
A portion of the fence surrounding the premises had been cut, and the cover at the base of the transformer was unscrewed, left open. Statnett suspects this to be an intentional act of sabotage.
“It appears that someone entered and removed the transformer’s cover, leaving it open and causing a significant amount of oil to spill out,” stated Thomas Fennefoss, Project Manager at Statnett.
However, the police reported that they currently have no concrete evidence to support this claim.
The oil, while harmful to the environment, remains non-toxic to humans. It reached the nearby Sandvikselva River and some of it dispersed underground.
Richard Kongsteien, Communication Manager for Bærum municipality, mentioned they are working to limit environmental damage. Oil barriers and absorbents have been utilized to contain and clean up the oil spill.
