2016-02-22
Synchronisation of Baltic countries - an important step towards Energy Union
New interconnections NordBalt and LitPol Link bring Europe closer to the vision of Energy Union, yet another indispensable step will be the synchronisation of Baltic power systems with Continental Europe networks. Such position was shared by the chairman of Litgrid Supervisory Board Aleksandras Spruogis in the meeting with the Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefčovič.
“New interconnections started a new era for the Baltic countries, transforming them from energy islands to an important crossroad of energy flows. These changes bring better prices of electricity for consumers and more energy security for the whole region. We must continue our efforts to ensure full-fledged integration of power systems and for this the synchronisation of Baltic power systems with Continental Europe Networks is indispensable”, - Aleksandras Spruogis said.
Maroš Šefčovič presented the objectives of European Energy Union while visiting Lithuanian transmission system operator’s Litgrid system control centre on Monday. The European Commission aims to enhance cooperation of European Union (EU) countries in energy matters, thus ensuring secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy. One of the key priorities of Energy Union is the development of interconnections. Having connected neighbouring power systems, electricity would eventually flow freely from Helsinki to Lisbon with a common European power market in operation.
Power links with Sweden and Poland, namely NordBalt and LitPol Link, connected all the markets around the Baltic Sea region into a ring. Both interconnections are a part of a Baltic Energy Markets Interconnection Plan (BEMIP), developed by European Commission in 2009. Updated in 2015, BEMIP also notes that Baltic power systems synchronisation with the Continental Europe networks is necessary.
According to Daivis Virbickas, CEO of Litgrid, the support of European Commission and neighbouring countries was very important in developing interconnections. EU funded almost a third of NordBalt costs, another 35 million euros from EU funds were invested in LitPol Link project. The synchronisation project is already included in the European Commission’s list of Projects of Common Interest.
"In cooperation with our neighbours we have implemented two major interconnection projects important for the energy security of the whole region. We have accumulated valuable experience in implementing complex infrastructure projects, as well as finding common solutions, the consequences of which will be felt for decades by electricity consumers and economies. I am sure that with this experience we will be able to contribute to the common of deeper integration in Europe”, - said Daivis Virbickas.