Lithuania proposes speeding up the process of synchronising the Baltic power grids with the synchronous grid of Continental Europe
The possibility of accelerating synchronisation of the Baltic power grids with the synchronous grid of Continental Europe was discussed at the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) High-Level Group Senior Officials Meeting, which was attended by representatives of the European Commission, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.
The energy ministers of the three Baltic States agreed on the need to speed up the implementation of the synchronisation project by signing a joint political statement this past February in response to the geopolitical situation and the resulting risks to the security of the electricity system.
Vice-Minister of Energy Albinas Zananavičius noted that faster synchronisation is necessary and entirely possible, even though not all of the planned measures will be implemented by then – including the Harmony Link interconnection with Poland. “This project is included in the synchronisation action plan, but it is not critical for the synchronous connection of the Baltic power systems with the continental European network, as it is intended for electricity trade. At present, trade with Poland is being carried out via the asynchronous LitPol Link interconnection, which, after synchronisation, will only be used for ancillary services,” said Mr. Zananavičius.
The transmission system operators from the three Baltic States and Poland also participated in the BEMIP meeting. Donatas Matelionis, the head of the Power System Operations Department at the Lithuanian transmission system operator Litgrid, presented the possibility of accelerated synchronisation to the meeting participants. According to Mr. Matelionis, the most indispensable work and projects for synchronisation will already be completed in early 2024.
It was agreed that in the near future, the transmission system operators from the three Baltic States and Poland, together with the support of the European Commission, will start preparing the studies necessary to assess the critical elements that are needed to implement synchronisation of the Baltic States with the synchronous grid of Continental Europe before the scheduled deadline.
Under the current agreements, synchronisation is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Last updated: 07-07-2022
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