News & events

2014-08-26

Specialists continue environmental monitoring of the territory for construction of the LitPol Link ‘power bridge’

Environmental consultants from the Lithuanian Fund for Nature have been studying the route for the LitPol Link power interconnection for two months now, in an effort to protect the unique ecosystem in the southern part of Lithuania and reduce the impact that the ongoing construction work might have on the environment. Preventive conservation of flora and fauna on the route of the ‘power bridge’ with Poland is carried out before beginning any kind of construction work on the route, and will be continued until the construction and subsequent environmental clean-up is complete.
 
Only a minor section of the LitPol Link power interconnection runs through territory which requires special care or protection in implementing measures to reduce negative consequences. In these areas, the route of the overhead power line stretches along shallow marshes and ponds, and cuts through natural meadows. However, the bulk of the 51-kilometre route consists of ploughed fields and pastures.
 
“We are implementing all of the recommended measures to reduce environmental impact; we are doing everything we can to ensure that as little impact as possible is made on the environment in constructing the new facilities. In assessing environmental impact and planning the territory, the pylon locations were carefully selected, and the most environmentally-safe technological solutions were chosen. In the technical design documentation, assessments were made in advance regarding where it would be possible to set up temporary access roads and places for storing soil and construction materials,” said Karolis Sankovski, Member of the Board and Director of the Strategic Infrastructure Department at Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator Litgrid.
 
Environmentalists used binoculars to survey marshes, ponds, trees that had fallen into water, rocks and larger mounds in the area. Over the course of two months, they also studied the route of the future overhead power line that goes through the settlements in the Lazdijai District Municipality. Construction of pylons for the overhead power line in these areas is only planned to begin in October.
 
 “We believe that this sort of advanced, ongoing cooperation between environmental and energy specialists will be of immense service in protecting the environment. In studying the surroundings, we have the opportunity to propose solutions to preserve the environment, and in each specific place we factor in the operational aspects that are actually being carried out which could ensure, in real time, protection of natural treasures. The project implementers, understanding the importance of preserving the environment, readily contribute to and carry out our proposed solutions,” said Edmundas Greimas, Executive Director of the Lithuanian Fund for Nature, which is carrying out ecological monitoring for the LitPol Link project.
 
Within the territory of Lithuania, installation of the LitPol Link power interconnection, which will be the first to link the Lithuanian (Baltic) and Western European energy systems, will require construction of a 51-kilometre high-voltage overhead power line from the Alytus transformer substation to the Lithuanian-Polish border, a new transformer substation, and a new HVDC back-to-back converter station; the Alytus transformer substation will also be modernised and expanded. The LitPol Link interconnection will begin operation in December 2015.