“Lithuania’s energy independence depends on the success of synchronisation projects, so our goal is to have a fully and independently functioning energy system by the end of 2023. The approval of these projects is one of the essential conditions in the process and for implementing the power system synchronisation project,” says Minister of Energy Dainius Kreivys.
The approved plans will help to establish guidelines for the power grid engineering infrastructure, ensure the reliability and increase the security of power transmission, determine the optimal routes for the power transmission lines, plan the areas required for development of the power grid engineering infrastructure, and create conditions for sustainable development of this infrastructure.
The approval of the development plans will allow design work for the lines to begin once the procurements announced this month have been completed.
The 330 Darbėnai-Bitėnai and Kruonis PSP-Bitėnai power transmission lines will ensure reliable operation of the transmission grid after construction of the Harmony Link submarine interconnection with Poland and disconnection from the high-voltage power lines in the Kaliningrad Region of Russia and Belarus. The new lines will connect Darbėnai, where the Harmony Link interconnection will start, with the Kruonis Pumped Storage Plant, which is located between Kaunas and Elektrėnai and currently ensures the reserve of the Lithuanian system.
Both projects are being implemented successfully and on time – Litgrid has already completed most of the work related to spatial planning, started design work for the first stages of the lines, and secured EU funding.
Presently, three of the 14 synchronisation projects of special national importance have already been completed: expansion of the 330 kV transformer substation in Bitėnai was completed in 2019, construction of the 110 kV Pagėgiai-Bitėnai line was completed in June 2020, and reconstruction of the 330 kV Elektrėnai Power Plant-Vilnius line was completed in December 2020. In late 2020, Litgrid also joined forces with the other transmission system operators in the Baltic States and Poland and secured a record EUR 720 million in funding for the second phase of the synchronisation project.
Other important synchronisation work is also planned for this year, including completing expansion of the LitPol Link Interconnection and preparing, if necessary, to work in synchronous mode with Poland; signing of an agreement for the installation of three synchronous condensers; taking a decision on Harmony Link investment; performing a seabed survey; and announcing a procurement for cable and converter stations. In addition, a third CEF application will be submitted and optimisation of the north-eastern Lithuanian network will be completed.
