News & events

2016-03-30

Litgrid develops a study on power flow restriction from Ostrovets power plant

The Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator Litgrid is examining technical measures to restrict the flow of electricity generated at the Ostrovets nuclear power plant to Lithuania. The advantages and disadvantages of these measures will be assessed in a study which is developed in cooperation with the scientists of Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). 
 
The goal of the study is to find out whether it is technically possible to restrict the flow of electricity from a new nuclear plant which is built in Belarus to Lithuania and establish how such restriction will affect electricity imports and the electricity market. The detailed results of the study will be presented to the Ministry of Energy. These results could be taken into account when making decisions on the implementation of certain technical measures. 
 
“It is a challenging task. It is necessary to get prepared for the restriction of electricity flows and identify the consequences of such restriction for the electricity market, the entire energy system and the reliability of the electricity system. For this purpose we need to analyse various scenarios and perform precise technical calculations. We have brought in KTU scientists, who are highly experienced experts in the field of electricity systems, to objectively and thoroughly assess the possibilities of the restriction of electricity flows,” said Litgrid’s CEO Daivis Virbickas.
 
The study will also look into the implications of restriction measures for the synchronisation of the Baltic electricity systems with the grid of Continental Europe and possible legal consequences that might result from restriction measures.
 
The Belarusian nuclear power plant under construction in Ostrovets region 20 km away from the border with Lithuania raises doubts about its security and environmental impact. It has been established that the planning and designing of the Ostrovets nuclear power plant violated the provisions of international Espoo and Aarhus conventions. If Belarus fails to answer Lithuania’s doubts about the plant’s safety, it is quite possible that Lithuania may take measures to restrict the access of electricity generated at the Belarusian nuclear power plant to Lithuania. The first results of the study are expected to be released in mid-April. 
 
The electricity transmission system operator Litgrid is responsible for the management of electricity flows in Lithuania. Electricity flows to Lithuania through 15 connections with the neighbouring countries.