2024-07-16
Baltic TSOs have sent a notice on decoupling from Russia-controlled electricity system in February 2025
Elering, AST, and Litgrid, electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) of the Baltic states, have notified Russian and Belarusian operators on the non-extension of the BRELL agreement, which is bound to expire in February of 2025. At that time, the three Baltic states will decouple from Russian and Belarusian grids to join the Continental Europe Synchronous Area.
The TSOs of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have sent a notice of non-extension of the agreement on parallel energy system operation – so called BRELL agreement, which has been defining the terms of operation of the Baltic countries in the Russia-controlled electricity system IPS/UPS.
According to the notice, signed by the leaders of the three TSOs today in Riga, the agreement will expire on the 7th of February, 2025. On the 8th of February, the Baltic TSOs will disconnect Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian electricity systems from IPS/UPS and will start a joint isolated operation test.
The synchronisation of the Baltic electricity systems with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area is planned on the 9th of February, 2025.
“This is a very important milestone for synchronisation, which is the most ambitious energy independence project in the Baltics. This is the moment when we can point to a specific date, on which we will cut the final ties with Russia in energy sector. We already have no commercial relations, and in 6 months we will disconnect and dismantle the last physical connections with Russian and Belarusian grids. There is still more work to do, but we are already prepared to synchronise now, and will be even more ready in February,” says Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Litgrid.
The electricity systems of the three Baltic states are already prepared for emergency synchronisation at any moment, if that becomes necessary. LitPol Link interconnection, through which the synchronous operation between Lithuania and Poland will be established, was expanded to support such operation in 2021. Many infrastructure projects strengthening the grids of the Baltic countries and Poland have already been commissioned, and the system control equipment and procedures are in place.
Currently, the three TSOs are finishing their projects that will allow for more secure and efficient synchronisation. These projects include synchronous condensers in Lithuania and Latvia, the third interconnection between Estonia and Latvia, and grid management systems that will streamline the control and balancing of the systems after joining the Continental Europe Synchronous Area.
Until now, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania operate in the IPS/UPS system, in which the electricity frequency is centrally controlled by Russia. Synchronisation with Continental Europe Synchronous Area will allow for independent, stable and reliable frequency control of the Baltic states electricity grids and will increase energy security in the region.
Synchronisation will enable better EU transmission system interconnectivity and market integration, allowing Baltic electricity systems to operate under common and transparent European rules to the benefit of all the consumers. It will also foster the development of renewable energy in the Baltic states and Poland, as newly installed power lines, substations and synchronous condensers will increase the ability of transmission grids to support higher share of renewable sources in overall electricity generation.
Synchronisation is supported by the EU with combined CEF Energy funding of around €1.2 billion, which is expected to provide up to 75% of project eligible costs.
