Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania begin a 24-hour transition process toward the European UCTE grid
Russia regrets “a political decision” that will adversely affect energy prices in the region
The governments of the three Baltic states — Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — announced this Saturday their successful disconnection from the Russian BRELL power system and to begin the process of joining the European energy grid, the so-called Continental Europe synchronous grid or UCTE, in an initiative to protect themselves, they agree, from any pressure maneuver by Russia through energy supply.
“Today we are disconnecting from the BRELL power system,” announced the Lithuanian government, in what it described as “the most important step in the history of the country’s energy independence.”
“Synchronization with the European power system will guarantee security, stability and energy reliability for the Baltic states. What a great day,” said the Lithuanian government.
The Estonian Foreign Ministry, for its part, celebrated what it sees as “another historic day toward European integration,” with the “disconnection of Russia’s energy grid” in the name of “security” against Moscow’s “legacy of occupation,” “which uses energy as a weapon.”
Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has also confirmed the disconnection, which occurred exactly at 09:09 this morning (one hour behind mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands) from the “Russia-controlled energy supply system.”
“This is an important step in our energy independence. The system is stable and secure, and now continues the path toward joining the European energy grid,” added Siliņa about a process of joining the UCTE that will take roughly 24 hours to complete. A giant clock will count down the final seconds before the transition’s completion, in a ceremony that will take place tomorrow in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, with the presence of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Until then, the electricity grid operators of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania — Elering, AST and LitGrid — will begin to work in an energy-insular mode between East and West Europe. During this period the energy supply will be covered by local power plants, as well as by the transmission lines between Estonia and Finland and Lithuania and Sweden.
The main connection of the Baltic states to the EU grid will be via the LitPol Link overhead transmission line, which connects Poland and Lithuania, sharing a common border.
RUSSIA REGRETS A POLITICAL DECISION WITH NEGATIVE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES
Russia’s reaction has come through its representation to the European Union, which lamented what it described as a “politically motivated measure” with grave economic repercussions.
The Baltic states’ exit from the BRELL system, Moscow argues, “will raise electricity prices in the region, make power networks less reliable and further erode the EU’s economic competitiveness.”
“Households and European businesses, especially in the Baltic states, will bear the costs,” Moscow added after warning that “the EU’s ongoing campaign to sever energy ties with Russia will only worsen its economic prospects.”
