On Friday 30 September, the alarm was raised after an “accident” at BKK’s Ytre Sandviken substation in Bergen.
For a long time, the police were secretive with information about what actually happened at the substation.
A few days after the discovery, TV 2 realized that it had been talked about incorrect connections and manipulation attempts.
Arrested
On October 7, a man in his 60s was arrested by police on charges of an attempted attack on infrastructure.
– Defendant is employed at BKK Nett and had legal access to the substation. He admitted to his employer that he was behind the act, police wrote shortly after the arrest.
INVESTIGATION: Forensic technicians inside the substation to secure evidence after the accident. Photos: Bergen photos and media
According to the verdict, the man must have attached a restraint band between a high-voltage system operating handle and a door, so that the handle would be pulled down the next time someone opened the door.
Police believed this may have resulted in a short circuit which had caused severe damage to the substation. However, the man is said to have failed to release a fuse, so that never happened.
When the man himself opened the door a little later so that the sealing tape was smoking, he called the BKK executives and reported the sabotage.
Wrong explanation
To the police, the man appeared unaware of the attempted sabotage. In the sentence, the fact that the man denounced the incident as an attempt to sabotage critical infrastructures is indicated as aggravating.
“The defendant understood that by contacting the BKK’s top management and notifying them of this alleged sabotage attempt, he would initiate investigations which would necessarily involve the police; especially in light of the current security policy situation in Norway and in Europe,” reads the ruling.
The court also finds it aggravating that the man gave the police his incorrect explanation. The district court writes that the widespread use of resources it has imposed on the police is aggravating in the case.
Now the man has been sentenced to 32 days in prison for the actions.
– The verdict is in accordance with the charges, so the police are satisfied with it. Police now consider the case closed and resolved, says police attorney John Lode Roscoe.
The man’s defender, Ellen Eikeseth Mjøs, has so far not given any comments to TV 2.
SAFETY: After the September incident, Eviny and BKK decided to investigate several substations. Photos: Bergen photos and media
It may have gone wrong
The executive director for communications and public relations of Eviny, which owns the substation, Rune Indrøy, was quick to say that the tampering could have a dangerous outcome.
– Transformer stations have high voltages, incoming and outgoing lines. A lot can happen if things are done that are contrary to how they should be done, Indrøy told TV 2.
– It can be very dangerous. It can crack, start burning, or worse, if something is connected incorrectly.
The transformer station is right next to a sidewalk where many people travel. A stone’s throw away is an apartment building and a playground.
