Baltic States Intensify Efforts to Cut Ties with Russian Power System

June 4, 2024 TruthUSA

To avoid any potential consequences of disconnecting from the Russian grid, the Baltics have agreed to measures, as stated by the Estonian power grid operator.

The Baltic states are actively working towards disconnecting their electricity networks from Russia and aligning them with the continental European power system amidst the Russian-Ukraine conflict.

In July 2023, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania committed to hastening their efforts to synchronize their power grids with continental Europe via Poland by February 2025, according to a statement from Lithuania’s Ministry of Climate and Energy. The initial deadline to finalize the transition was initially set for the end of 2025.

The Baltic states first agreed in 2018 with the European Union (EU) to integrate into the continental European electricity grid, as per a statement from the European Commission statement. This agreement was reinforced in 2019.

During their time in the Soviet Union, the three countries were connected to Soviet electricity infrastructure.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Latvia and Estonia in 1999, and Lithuania in 2001, signed the BRELL agreement with Russia and Belarus to stay connected to the synchronous electricity grid with the Russian and Belarusian networks, according to the Poland-based Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW).

For a significant period, the power grids of the Baltic states were integrated into the systems of Russia and Belarus and had no cross-border connections to either the Nordic countries or continental Europe via Poland, as reported by the OSW.

Transition

To meet the expedited deadline, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania must collectively inform BRELL counterparts in August 2024 about the termination of the BRELL agreement, as mentioned in the statement.

Following the commitment of the Baltics to accelerate the disentanglement of their energy networks from Russia, three electricity grid operators entered into an agreement to prepare the Baltic networks for synchronization with continental Europe by February 2025, according to Nasdaq.

Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian electricity transmission system operators Elering, Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST), and Litgrid will be equipped to safely disconnect from the Russian-controlled system and synchronize with continental Europe, as reported by Nasdaq.

The European Union has allocated 1.2 billion euros to support the project, according to its statement.

As per the Latvian power grid operator AST, the initiative will involve the enhancement of the existing Lithuania-Poland link (LitPol Link) and the construction of a new sub-sea cable between Lithuania and Poland.

“The BRELL agreement represents the final link binding the energy systems of the Baltic states to the post-Soviet space,” OSW stated in 2019.

LitPol Link HVDC back-to-back converter station and power line to Poland LitPol Link is pictured in Alytus, Lithuania on Nov. 19, 2015. (Petras Malukas/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko cautioned in November of the previous year that disconnecting from the BRELL system linking the Baltics to the Soviet-built energy network would have an impact on electricity costs for Baltic states, as reported by TASS, a Russian state-controlled news agency.

Once fully detached from the BRELL agreement, electricity prices will be determined at the Swedish exchange instead of through a long-term contract for energy supply from Russia, Mr. Grushko clarified.

Impact

Estonian power grid operator Elering informed The Epoch Times via email that the Baltic power grids are already part of the European power market, and the Baltics do not engage in electricity trade with Russia and Belarus.

Hence, the electricity market prices are presently not influenced by Russia or Belarus, according to an Elering representative.

Furthermore, the synchronization with Europe will open up new opportunities for Baltic electricity transmission operators by providing access to new electricity supply markets, the spokesperson elaborated.

On one hand, the operators can access electricity supplies in these new markets, and on the other hand, they can trade their reserves in these new markets, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson noted that while the new market and EU climate policies could potentially impact electricity prices, the synchronization initiative itself will not affect electricity costs significantly, as it has been largely financed by the EU.

Elering emphasized that most of these investments should have been made regardless of the transition. “The power system will operate during the synchronization process as normally as possible,” the spokesperson stated. “Consumers will not even notice the change.”

The spokesperson confirmed that the power grids of the Baltic states will be synchronized with those of continental Europe by February 2025. To mitigate any potential impact of disconnecting from the Russian grid, the three countries have already agreed on “a set of measures.”

“While there is always a slight operational risk, an action plan has been prepared for the Baltic States’ emergency synchronization with continental Europe.”

Additionally, “contingency measures have been devised that will be activated in case of unforeseen internal or external interference,” Elering added.

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