“We have yet another confirmation that synchronisation is a priority for the entire European Union, and that efforts are being made to move at maximum speed in its implementation. The Harmony Link submarine interconnection is an example of synergy between political objectives and technical expertise. Today, seabed surveys for the project are being funded with EU support, which is an important start before next year’s application to fund the entire project,” says Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas.
“We already have successful collaboration with PSE in building the LitPol Link interconnection. This, along with the funding received, allows us to expect the best results in implementing the new joint Harmony Link project,” says Daivis Virbickas, CEO of Litgrid, the Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator.
The funding received will be used for a study to select the route for the new submarine power cable, seabed surveys, preparation of technical specifications for the interconnection, and spatial planning work.
The agreement was signed in Brussels by the heads of Litgrid and Poland’s PSE, as well as representatives from the European Commission’s (EC) Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA).
The agreement was signed as the Projects of Common Interest (PCI) exhibition taking place in Brussels, where Litgrid representatives are participating and presenting the synchronisation projects being implemented in Lithuania. The agreement was signed in the presence of Piotr Naimski, the Polish government plenipotentiary for strategic energy infrastructure, and Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, Lithuanian Minister of Energy.
The new project for the Harmony Link submarine interconnection with Poland is one of the most important parts of the project for synchronisation of the Baltic power systems with continental Europe. Litgrid and PSE signed an agreement to build this HVDC submarine power cable a year ago – in December 2018.
The fourth list of projects of common interest approved by the EC in the electricity sector includes projects of common interest necessary for the integration and synchronisation of the Baltic States’ electricity system with the continental European network (CEN). Inclusion on this list already made it possible to secure EUR 323 million in EU funding for the first phase of the synchronisation project in January 2019.
The new 2019 list approved by the European Commission includes 23 projects of significance for the implementation of synchronisation, thus reflecting the agreement reached between the Baltic States and Poland in 2018 on the scenario for synchronisation, as well as the technical measures identified in the Catalogue of Measures issued by ENTSO-E this past May, by including all of the infrastructure projects needed in this list: the new Harmony Link power interconnection between Lithuania and Poland, upgrading the Alytus substation, synchronous condensers, and other necessary projects. On the basis of this list, funding from the Connecting Europe Facility will be applied for in 2020.
The total value of the Baltic synchronisation project is EUR 1.6 billion.
