Baltic States Open Two Power Lines to European Grid

GALWAY, IRELAND--December 21, 2015--Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Two power lines that will allow the Baltic states of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia to reduce their reliance on Russian electricity imports have been inaugurated at a special ceremony in Lithuania.

The LitPol and NordBalt interconnectors, with a combined capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW), connect the countries to the European electricity system. The 700-MW NordBalt undersea cable, funded by the European Union (EU), f connects to Sweden, while the 500- MW LitPol power line runs 163 kilometers (km) from southern Lithuania to Poland.

There is already an existing link between Estonia and Finland.

Lithuania has accused Russia of obstructing the laying of the NordBalt cable on numerous occasions. Lithuania Energy Minister Rokas Masiulis, speaking on LRT TV, said: "We managed to overcome certain hostile actions by Russia. I can say today that a Russian naval ship hindered construction as many as four times. The cable-laying ship was asked to leave the site. Sweden and I protested. After these protests, they [the Russians] retreated and allowed the work to proceed."

The opening ceremony was attended by energy ministers from Poland and Sweden, alongside the prime ministers of the three Baltic states and Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite. She described the connections to the Western European energy market as being of "strategic importance to the Baltic countries and the whole of the European Union".

"Over the past five years we've gained invaluable experience while implementing two strategic and highly technical projects which are the first of a kind for the Lithuanian grid," explained Daivis Virbickas, chief executive officer of Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator, Litgrid. "It is an example for all of Europe: by cooperating with neighbours, we can create a single and sustainable energy network in the EU."

"Both Poland and Lithuania have enhanced their energy security through the ability to import and export power," added Henryk Majchrzak, president of the management board of the Polish electricity transmission system operator, PSE. "The increase of transmission capacity of cross-border interconnections is extremely important considering the security of supply. "A reliable infrastructure for the uninterrupted exchange and supply of electricity is a key element of the modern state because it helps determine its economic growth."

Lithuania was forced to close its old Ignalina nuclear power plant in 2009 as part of its conditions for joining the EU. This resulted in Lithuania having to import more than three quarters of its power from Russia, the highest power reliance of any EU nation. The country is planning to build a new 1,350- MW nuclear plant--Visaginas--located at the Ignalina site with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (Wilmington, North Carolina). For additional information, see July 4, 2012, article - Lithuania Green Lights Visaginas Nuclear Project.

However the project has been on hold in recent years after losing key partner Estonia, and widespread public resistance to a new nuclear power plant.

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