Grid optimisation in North-Eastern Lithuania
Status: project completed.
The aim of the project:
To prepare the North-East Lithuanian transmission grid for synchronous operation with the continental European grid, to separate the currently tightly integrated 330 kV overhead lines with the neighbouring Latvian and Belarusian electricity systems and to manage each of them separately, maintain the flexibility of the Lithuanian electricity system for possible development and ensure the current transmission network reliability level during normal network operation and repairs.
Also to ensure reliable electricity transmission to the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant storage facilities. The reconstructions carried out during the project will allow maintaining the transmission network bandwidth for system services and will comprehensively solve the problem of voltage in the transmission network in central Lithuania.
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.
Optimisation of the North-Eastern Lithuanian network is necessary in order to properly prepare the electricity system for operation in synchronous mode with the networks of continental Europe. This is one of the most significant reconstructions of the electricity transmission network in the last 50 years.
The most important goal of the North-East Lithuanian electricity transmission network developed in the sixties was to integrate the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant into the power system. While the nuclear power plant was operating, the 330/110/10 kV Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant transformer substation was the most complex electricity transmission unit in Lithuania, ensuring the transmission of the produced electricity to the whole of Lithuania and at the same time supplying the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant reactors.
Although the nuclear power plant was closed in 2010, the transformer substation of the Ignalina nuclear power plant continues to play an important role in the region. In order to adapt this power transmission unit to the current and future needs of the system, it had to be reconstructed. One of the integral parts of the project is the reconstruction of Utena TS. Here, at the end of 2020, a 330 kV autotransformer was installed, the old equipment was demolished and works on reconstruction of 110 kV switchyards were performed. This is necessary to ensure reliable electricity transmission in the region of Eastern Lithuania.
| Project details |
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| Territory: Utena district municipality, Ignalina district municipality |
| Voltage: 330 kV, 110 kV. |
| Completion date: 31 December 2021 |
| Financing: the project is co-financed by the European Union Regional Development Fund measure “Modernisation and Development of the Electricity Transmission System”. |
General project information
During the project, the transformer substation of Ignalina NPP, which has been operating for more than 35 years, is being reconstructed, moving part of its equipment to the transformer substation of the Lithuanian power plant.
The only shunt reactor operated in Lithuania at the Ignalina NPP substation and other equipment has been transferred to the substation of the Lithuanian power plant in Elektrėnai.
The most powerful 750 kV line connecting the Lithuanian and Belarusian systems, Ignalina NPP – Minsk TEC-5, was also disconnected and dismantled.
Special publication about completed project
Work calendar
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Activities
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Date of implementation
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The 750 kV line connecting the Ignalina NPP substation with Belarus was dismantled
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2020
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After the reconstruction, the Utena and Ignalina NPP TP switchyards were switched on
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2020 Q4
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The transfer of the shunt reactor from Ignalina to Elektrėnai has been completed
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2021 Q1
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End of the project
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2021 Q4
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Project financing
The European Union has allocated EUR 10.8 million from the European Union. The project is partially financed under the European Union Funds Investment Operational Program 2014-2020, Priority 6 “Development of Sustainable Transport and Core Network Infrastructure”, Measure 06.3.1-LVPA-V-103 “Modernisation and Development of the Electricity Transmission System” from the EU Regional Development Fund.
