Construction of Darbenai-Bitenai 330 kV overhead line
Status: construction works for Phase I completed, works in progress for Phase II.
The aim of the project
To strengthen the electricity transmission network of Western Lithuania and to ensure its reliable operation by laying a double-circuit 330 kV electricity transmission line, which is important for the smooth synchronous operation of the Lithuanian electricity system with the electricity grid of continental Europe.
Significance of the project
Synchronisation with the Central European Synchronous Area (CESA) is the last step towards Lithuania’s energy independence. Currently, our electricity system is still dependent on frequency control in Russia, but already in 2025, it will operate in one synchronous area together with the systems of other European countries.
The Darbėnai-Bitėnai electricity transmission line is one of the synchronisation projects, as the Lithuanian-Polish maritime connection Harmony Link will start at the Darbėnai substation.
Calculations performed by Litgrid show that the existing network of Western Lithuania would be overloaded by integrating the maritime connection with Poland. This is the reason why the network needs not only to be upgraded, but also to prepare new sections for synchronous operation with continental Europe.
| Project details |
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| Territory: territory of Pagėgiai, Šilutė district, Klaipėda district, Kretinga district municipalities. |
| Start of the planned line: Bitėnai transformer substation Pagėgiai municipality, Bitėnų village, Bitės g. 3A. |
| End of the planned line: Darbėnai switchyard territory Kretinga district municipality, Žyneliai village. |
| Total line length: about 140 km |
| Voltage: 330 kV |
| Estimated completion date: 2025 |
| Funding: The project is co-funded by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). |
General project information
The upcoming almost 140-kilometer 330 kV line Darbėnai-Bitėnai will start at the future Darbėnai switchyard in Kretinga district and will continue to the Bitėnai substation in Pagėgiai municipality.
This line will be formed in two stages. In the first stage, the section from Darbėnai substation to the border of Kretinga-Klaipėda districts will be reconstructed. The existing 330 kV line will be reconstructed by changing the supports and adding a second circuit. Reconstruction is carried out within the protection zone of the existing line.
In the second stage, the reconstruction of the Klaipėda-Grobinė line in Klaipėda district will be continued and a new section of the line will be built approximately 12 km long, bypassing the city of Gargždai and the Klaipėda substation. In this part of the project, the existing protection zone will be expanded and a new protection zone will be formed.
Also, at this stage, a section of approximately 80 km of the Klaipėda-Šyša-Bitėnai line from the newly built line to the Bitėnai transformer substation will be reconstructed.
330 kV power transmission line Darbėnai-Bitėnai and map of the territory
Work calendar
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Activities
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Date of implementation
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A contract for special spatial planning and environmental impact assessment services was concluded
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2019 Q3
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The concept of the Development Plan was approved, which provides for alternatives for the route of electricity transmission lines
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2020 Q3
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Public hearings during which the residents were introduced to the solutions of the Development Plan
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2021 Q1
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A decision was made on the impact of the planned economic activity on the environment
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2021 Q1
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Contract with the contractor for the design and construction of the reconstruction part of the line
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2021 Q2
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Approval of the Development Plan
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2021 Q3
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Establishment of easements and special conditions of land use
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2021 Q4
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Contract with the contractor for the design and construction of the new construction part of the line
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2022
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Commencement of reconstruction works
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2022
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Commencement of new construction works
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2023
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Completion of construction works, start of operation of the transmission line
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2025
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