The Baltic States have successfully synchronized their electricity systems with the Continental European Synchronous Area. This is a historic and practically significant event for the Baltic States and Europe, enhancing the region’s energy independence and resilience. All electricity connections with Russia and Belarus have been permanently disconnected.
“The fact that all three Baltic States are synchronizing with continental Europe today shows not only our common goals, but also the ability to achieve them together. This would not have been possible without the special role played by Poland and the support of the EU, so this day is also about European solidarity and unity. It is thanks to solidarity and unity that the most ambitious, difficult but necessary tasks become a reality – let us remember this as we tackle every other challenge we share today. Almost two decades have passed since synchronization was enshrined as a strategic objective in 2007. It has not been an easy road, with more than one Government, many institutions, and a large number of people contributing during these years. The result of their dedicated work is this historically significant event. I sincerely congratulate and thank all those who have contributed,” said Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas.
On this day, the European Union’s Energy and Housing Commissioner, the Defense and Space Commissioner, the Prime Minister of Lithuania, and energy ministers from the Baltic States and Poland met in Vilnius to mark the start of synchronization and discuss energy security issues, as well as further measures to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure in light of the changing geopolitical situation.
“For 65 years, i.e., more than half of a century, Lithuania’s electricity system was dependent on Russia. Now, we are closing this chapter: together with Latvia and Estonia, we are joining the continental European electricity grid and solidifying our energy independence. It is symbolic that decades ago, the Baltic Way united our nations in the pursuit of independence, and today, we are reinforcing it in the energy sector by disconnecting from Russia and connecting to Europe,” said Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas.
“Today, the Baltic states take a historic step forward. We celebrate not just the success of a project, but the fulfilment of a long-standing commitment to security and European unity. Our electricity system is secure and independent. Synchronization is as significant as joining the Schengen visa area – both ensure our freedom and independence, enabling the safe movement of both people and electrons between reliable partners,” said Estonian Minister of Climate Yoko Alender.
“Connecting to the European electricity grid was the most significant energy security project in the Baltics in the last 15 years, and its positive impact will continue to be felt for the next decade. The professional project implementation and effective cross-border cooperation in such a large-scale project deserve recognition for all involved at all levels. Following the successful isolated island test, we must continue to cooperate, developing energy production in the region while strengthening the security of the Baltic energy supply infrastructure,” said Minister of Climate and Energy of Latvia Kaspars Melnis.
Synchronisation allows the Baltic States to operate their electricity systems in close cooperation with other continental European countries, ensuring stable and reliable frequency regulation, thereby enhancing regional energy security. Whereas previously the Baltic States were dependent on Russia’s IPS/UPS system for frequency management, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are now connected to a continental European grid serving more than 400 million customers.
This process is the result of years of meticulous preparation and collaboration among the transmission system operators of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – Litgrid, Augstsprieguma tīkls, and Elering – as well as their partners in the Continental European Synchronous Area. A particularly crucial role was played by Poland’s transmission system operator, PSE, which, as a direct neighbour to the Baltic States and with a physical connection to the Continental Europe, coordinated the entire process. This achievement was significantly supported by extensive infrastructure upgrades in the Baltic States and Poland.
In Lithuania, the synchronization process involved the construction of 420 km of new electricity transmission lines, the reconstruction of 230 km of existing lines, and the establishment or modernization of a total of 13 network substations and transformer stations. In Alytus, three 400/330 kV autotransformers were constructed – the most powerful of their kind in the Baltic States. Additionally, three synchronous compensators were connected to the transmission network: at Telšiai transformer station, Alytus electrical hub, and Neris transformer station in Vilnius region. In addition to this infrastructure development, new systems for frequency stability assessment, automatic generation control, and dispatching were also implemented.
Overall, more than EUR 1.6 billion was invested in the synchronization project in the Baltic States and Poland, with approximately EUR 1.2 billion allocated from the European Union’s Energy Infrastructure Facility.
Source: Ministry of Energy, Lithuania
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