Baltic states synchronization with CESA

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|country = Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia

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|est = 9 February 2025

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The three Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia) undertook the synchronization of their electric power transmission infrastructure with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area (CESA), a project known as Baltic Synchro. Managed by ENTSO-E, this initiative aimed to disconnect from the IPS/UPS system, previously governed by the 2001 BRELL Agreement with Belarus and Russia.{{cite news|url= https://www.baltictimes.com/lithuanian_president_hopes_baltic_countries_will_withdraw_from_brell__synchronize_together/ |website=baltictimes.com |title= Lithuanian president hopes Baltic countries will withdraw from BRELL, synchronize together |date=2023-04-24 |access-date= 2023-08-12}} The project was successfully completed on 9 February 2025.{{cite web|title=ENTSO-E confirms successful synchronization of the Continental European electricity system with the systems of the Baltic countries|url=https://www.entsoe.eu/news/2025/02/09/entso-e-confirms-successful-synchronization-of-the-continental-european-electricity-system-with-the-systems-of-the-baltic-countries/ |date=9 February 2025|access-date=9 February 2025|website=ENTSO-E}}

History

File:Electrical Power Grid - Baltic states.png

The electricity systems of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were technologically integrated into the IPS/UPS grid in the early 1960s, during the Soviet occupation of the Baltic States.{{cite book|title=Lietuvos energetika 1944–1962 m.|trans-title=Lithuanian Energy Industry in 1944–1962|publisher=Trys žvaigždutės|editor=Vilius Šaduikis|author=Lietuvos energetikų senjorų klubas|isbn=978-609-431-107-9|place=Vilnius|date=2019|volume=7|language=lt|page=228}} In 2001, the BRELL Agreement was signed between Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the technical management of the synchronization of their power grids as part of the IPS/UPS power distribution system.{{Cite journal |last1=Fang |first1=Songying |last2=Jaffe |first2=Amy Myers |last3=Loch-Temzelides |first3=Ted |last4=Lo Prete |first4=Chiara |date=2024-05-01 |title=Electricity grids and geopolitics: A game-theoretic analysis of the synchronization of the Baltic States' electricity networks with Continental Europe |journal=Energy Policy |volume=188 |pages=114068 |doi=10.1016/j.enpol.2024.114068 |bibcode=2024EnPol.18814068F |issn=0301-4215|doi-access=free }} Nevertheless, IPS/UPS is largely managed centrally from Moscow.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-08 |title=Baltics disconnect from Russian power grid, start isolated operation |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2482000/baltics-disconnect-from-russian-power-grid-start-isolated-operation |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=lrt.lt |language=en}}

In 2007, the three Baltic states applied to join ENTSO-E (then UCTE) and began technical feasibility studies on joining the European synchronous power network.{{cite web|title=Elektros tinklų sinchronizavimas su Europa: svarbiausi įvykiai|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/verslas/4/2481245/elektros-tinklu-sinchronizavimas-su-europa-svarbiausi-ivykiai |date=7 February 2025|access-date=7 February 2025|language=lt|website=LRT}} The synchronization project allows the three Baltic states to regain full control of their electricity networks and strengthen their energy security.{{Cite web|url=https://enseccoe.org/data/public/uploads/2021/02/nato-ensec-coe-the-synchronization-of-the-baltic-states-j.juozaitis.pdf|title=NATO - The Synchronization of the Baltic States': Geopolitical Implications on the Baltic Sea Region and Beyond|website=enseccoe.org}}{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/memo_18_4285|title=Questions and answers on the synchronisation of the Baltic States' electricity networks with the continental European network (CEN)|publisher=European Commission}} According to the European Commission, the synchronization of Baltic states is a political and financial priority and therefore it has allocated more than €1.2 billion towards the funding of the project.{{Cite web|url=https://bnn-news.com/lithuania-continues-attempts-to-convince-colleagues-to-connect-baltic-and-european-networks-faster-247015|title=Lithuania continues attempts to convince colleagues to connect Baltic and European networks faster|date=29 June 2023}} Some of the facilities include new powerlines, batteries, and nine synchronous condensers.{{cite web |title=Baltics grid: Successful synchronisation with continental Europe {{!}} Smart Energy International |url=https://www.smart-energy.com/industry-sectors/energy-grid-management/baltic-states-synchronise-transmission-grid-with-continental-europe/amp/ |website=www.smart-energy.com |date=10 February 2025}}{{cite web |title=The Baltics join the European grid – a successful integration story |url=https://www.eurelectric.org/news/the-baltics-join-the-european-grid-a-successful-integration-story/ |website=Eurelectric - Powering People |date=7 February 2025}}

Chronology

In 2007, the prime ministers of the three Baltic states confirmed their strategic objective to become part of the continental European network. In September 2018, an official application to expand the synchronous zone was submitted to ENTSO-E.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ast.lv/en/projects/synchronisation-europe|title=Synchronisation with Europe | AST|website=www.ast.lv}} On 27 May 2019, an agreement was signed for the connection of the Baltic states to the Continental Europe synchronous electric power network operation zone.

= Proposals to speed up the process =

The need for synchronization became more urgent after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė announced that Lithuania was seeking to speed up the process of transition and leave the IPS/UPS transmission system before 2025 with the expected finalized plan made public by the end of 2023.{{cite news|url= https://www.delfi.lt/en/business/next-year-lithuania-will-announce-when-electric-power-system-will-be-synchronised-with-west-91838599 |title= Next year Lithuania will announce when electric power system will be synchronized with West|website= delfi.lt |date=2022-11-24 |access-date=2023-08-12}}

On 22 April 2023, a stress test was scheduled in the Baltic states to test the infrastructure and operate for a day outside the IPS/UPS grid.{{cite news|url= https://www.delfi.lt/verslas/energetika/litgrid-pirma-karta-veike-visiskai-savarankiskai-atliko-izoliuoto-darbo-bandyma-93152145 |title= "Litgrid" pirmą kartą veikė visiškai savarankiškai – atliko izoliuoto darbo bandymą |website= delfi.lt |date=2023-04-22 |access-date=2023-08-12 |language=lt}} Latvia and Estonia withdrew from testing, while Lithuania successfully conducted the test and concluded that the country was ready to join the synchronous grid of Continental Europe in 2024.{{cite news|url= https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/verslas/4/1968857/litgrid-baige-salies-elektros-sistemos-izoliuoto-darbo-bandyma |title= "Litgrid" baigė šalies elektros sistemos izoliuoto darbo bandymą |website=LRT|date= 2023-04-22 |access-date= 2023-08-12 |language=lt}} Estonia and Latvia proposed the synchronization with the European grid be delayed to 2025 due to infrastructure not being ready.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lrt.lt/naujienos/verslas/4/1968703/nauseda-tikiuosi-kad-baltijos-salys-pasitrauks-is-brell-ir-sinchronizuosis-kartu|title=Nausėda: tikiuosi, kad Baltijos šalys pasitrauks iš BRELL ir sinchronizuosis kartu|date=22 April 2023|website=lrt.lt}} President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda continued to pressure both Estonia and Latvia to synchronize with continental Europe in 2024, without waiting until 2025. Eventually, the countries agreed to synchronize no later than February 2025.{{cite news|title=Baltic ministers agree to synchronise power grids with Europe by early 2025|url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2043540/baltic-ministers-agree-to-synchronise-power-grids-with-europe-by-early-2025 |date=25 July 2023|access-date=25 July 2023|website=lrt.lt}}

= Withdrawal from BRELL =

On 16 July 2024, the three Baltic states, represented by their transmission system operators Elering (Estonia), AST (Latvia) and Litgrid (Lithuania), formally notified Russia and Belarus of their decision to withdraw from the BRELL Agreement.{{cite web|title=Baltic states give Russia notice of electricity grid switch-off date|url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/economy/16.07.2024-baltic-states-give-russia-notice-of-electricity-grid-switch-off-date.a561634/ |date=16 July 2024|access-date=16 July 2024|website=LSM}} In Vilnius, a {{Convert|9|m|ft|-tall|abbr=out|adj=mid}} clock began counting down on 1 November 2024.{{cite web |title=Baltic nations count final hours to ending electricity ties to Russia |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/02/06/g-s1-46775/baltic-nations-count-final-hours-to-ending-electricity-ties-to-russia |website=NPR |language=en |date=6 February 2025}} The agreement was set to legally expire on 7 February 2025 and the Baltic states were scheduled to technologically disconnect from IPS/UPS on 8 February 2025.

= Synchronization =

On Saturday 8 February 2025 at 9:09 (UTC+2), the Baltic states permanently disconnected from IPS/UPS.{{Cite news |url=https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2482000/baltics-disconnect-from-russian-power-grid-start-isolated-operation |title= Baltics disconnect from Russian power grid, start isolated operation |newspaper= Lithuanian National Radio and Television |date=8 February 2025|last1=Gaidamavičius|first1=Giedrius}} For a day, they operated in isolated mode and conducted various frequency, voltage stability and system resilience tests. Following the disconnection, Kaliningrad became a power island, disconnected from its surrounding states.{{Cite web |last=ERR |date=2024-06-11 |title=Balti riigid lülituvad Vene elektrivõrgust Euroopa omasse veebruari algul |url=https://www.err.ee/1609367846/balti-riigid-lulituvad-vene-elektrivorgust-euroopa-omasse-veebruari-algul |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=ERR |language=et}} During the tests in Lithuania, the Elektrėnai Power Plant briefly went offline unplanned, but soon reconnected. On Sunday 9 February 2025, at 14:05, the Baltic states successfully synchronized with the continental European electricity grid.{{cite web|title=Historic moment: Baltic states synchronize with European electricity grid|url=https://news.err.ee/1609600139/historic-moment-baltic-states-synchronize-with-european-electricity-grid |date=9 February 2025|access-date=9 February 2025|website=ERR}}

Connections

On 9 December 2015, Poland and Lithuania commissioned LitPol Link, which was the first direct connection between the Baltic states and the European grid.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-08/russia-s-power-grip-over-baltics-ending-with-billion-euro-cables|title=Russia's Power Grip Over Baltics Ending With Billion-Euro Cables|website=Bloomberg News }} In 2018, another proposed link with Poland via the Baltic Sea was announced, called Harmony Link.{{cite web|title=Harmony Link|url=https://www.litgrid.eu/index.php/tinklo-pletra/strateginiai-projektai/harmony-link/20075 |access-date=11 February 2025|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250125014402/https://www.litgrid.eu/index.php/tinklo-pletra/strateginiai-projektai/harmony-link/20075 |archive-date=25 January 2025|website=Litgrid}} The total investment planned for the Harmony Link project is around €680 million, of which €493 million will come from the Connecting Europe Facility.{{Cite web |title=About project – Harmony Link |url=https://harmonylink.eu/about-project/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |language=en-GB}} The Baltic States also have connections with the Nordic electricity grid via the NordBalt{{cite news |last=Reid |first=Katie |date=2010-12-20 |title=ABB wins Nordic-Baltic power order |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE6BJ0Y520101220 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102064659/http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE6BJ0Y520101220 |archive-date=2 January 2011 |accessdate=2010-12-31 |work=Reuters}} and Estlink HVDC submarine power cable systems,{{cite news |date=December 2010 |title=Estlink-2 to tie Baltic power producers closer to the Nordic markets |url=http://www.nib.int/news_publications/cases_and_feature_stories/2010-12_estlink-2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720022615/http://www.nib.int/news_publications/cases_and_feature_stories/2010-12_estlink-2 |archive-date=2011-07-20 |accessdate=2010-12-31 |publisher=Nordic Investment Bank}} although Estlink2 was not operating at the time of the grid switchover.{{Cite web |title=Estlink 2 -kaapelin korjaustyöt tulevat maksamaan kymmeniä miljoonia |trans-title=Estlink 2 cable repair work will cost tens of millions |url=https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/estlink-2-kaapelin-korjaustyot-tulevat-maksamaan-kymmenia-miljoonia/9074298 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=mtvuutiset.fi |language=fi}}