Since the beginning of Russian full-scale war against Ukraine, the risks associated with the energy security of the Baltic States have significantly changed and all three Baltic States have looked into the opportunities of joining the Continental European electricity grid earlier than originally agreed. On May 12th, the Prime Ministers of the Baltic States agreed to collaborate on achieving the readiness to synchronization as early as possible.
During today’s meeting among the climate and energy ministers of the Baltic States, they acknowledged the efforts of the transmission system operators of the countries who have provided a detailed assessment of alternative accelerated synchronization scenarios. Additionally, the system transmission operators’ joint effort not only ensured that all the critical infrastructure projects stay on previously agreed track but also in some cases, like with the Estonian-Latvian third interconnection, achieved an earlier commissioning date as well as successful test of the LitPol link between Lithuanian-Poland.
Taking these efforts into account, the climate and energy ministers discussed the possible political agreement of bringing the synchronization date earlier. This political agreement would mandate transmission system operator’s to jointly notify BRELL counterparts in August 2024 regarding the termination of the BRELL agreement and a subsequently synchronize with the Continental Europe in February 2025.
This common effort underscores the strength of a unified energy security policy among the Baltic States.
Photo: Ministry of Climate and Energy of the Republic of Latvia
*BRELL – historical agreement among Baltic States and Russia detailing operations within IPS/UPS synchronous area.
