News & events

2015-11-26

Successful start of LitPol Link tests

Today for the first time in history 50 megawatts of electricity were transmitted from Lithuania to Poland through LitPol Link. This test, as well as other scheduled tests of the new interconnection aim to check it’s preparedness for electricity transmission in both directions between Poland and Lithuania.
 
“It is a challenge to connect two asynchronous power systems working in different synchronous zones, and the HVDC technology allowing to do so is extremely complex. Therefore we are currently testing all the elements of the interconnection and its different functions step by step”, - said Daivis Virbickas, Litgrid CEO and Chairman of the Board.
 
“Jointly with the Lithuanian transmission system operator we are making best efforts in order to create the conditions for secure electricity transit between Eastern and Western Europe. Therefore, currently conducted tests are extremely important for the reliable operation of the Polish-Lithuanian interconnection” – underlined Henryk Majchrzak, President of the Management Board of PSE S.A.
 
The loading test that took place today is an important milestone of LitPol Link implementation. After testing the interconnection with low power transmission, the loading of the link will be increased in further tests up to its maximum of 500 megawatts.
 
Tests of individual LitPol Link elements has already begun last week when the overhead power line from Elk to Alytus were energized for the first time. LitPol Link consists of three elements - the overhead power transmission line, a high voltage direct current (HVDC) converter station in Alytus, Lithuania, and two substations in both countries.
 
The transmission system operators buy and sell the electricity needed for the power tests in balancing power market. Trading between Lithuania and Poland will be available in the Nordic power exchange Nord Pool Spot day ahead market as of 8 December (for delivery on 9 December).
 
LitPol Link is part of the Baltic energy market interconnection plan (BEMIP). The project is partially financed by the European Union.