News & events

2016-02-03

LitPol Link starts regular operations

Lithuanian-Polish interconnection LitPol Link starts regular operations today. After successfully completing last tests, all the infrastructure of the power link was handed over from contractors to Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator Litgrid.
 
“Long phase of preparation, testing and evaluation has ended and the new power link is now an integral part of energy system. LitPol Link, which connected Lithuanian power grid to that of Western Europe, lays foundation for various changes in energy system - from new import markets to synchronous work opportunities. Those changes will be gradual and will require patience, but will be interesting to follow”, - says Daivis Virbickas, Litgrid CEO and Chairman of the Board.
 
LitPol Link was operating on trial mode since 9 December. This phase was dedicated to thoroughly assess how the link operates under different conditions and how it responds to changes of various parameters. During this period various data sent by the link was monitored and analysed. This information will help to define possible causes of failures in the future and to quickly eliminate them.
 
High voltage direct current (HVDC) technology is used for connecting Lithuanian and Polish power grids. With the end of trial operations, the supplier of this technology, global technology company ABB, officially handed over their built HVDC converters to Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator Litgrid to manage and supervise. HVDC technology is used in Lithuania for the first time, therefore to manage it effectively a subsidiary of Litgrid - TPC - was founded to unite top professionals in this field.
 
“The power link with Poland project has been thoroughly planned, highest requirements apply for its reliability. It is a big responsibility to ensure that one of the most complex technologies used in Lithuanian power sector works accurately and reliably. We mobilised unique competencies for it and are ready for this task”, - says Edvardas Tarasevičius, General Manager of TPC.
 
Lithuanian and Polish transmission system operators Litgrid and PSE implemented LitPol Link project since 2008.