Lithuania to dismantle power transmission lines to Russia, Belarus, following synchronization of Baltic, West European power grids
VILNIUS. Oct 25 (Interfax/BNS) - Power transmission lines connecting Lithuania's power grid to Russia and Belarus, some of which are still functioning, will be shut down in February 2025, following synchronization of Baltic and West European power grids, and eventually dismantled, the Litgrid Lithuanian power transmission system operator told BNS.
"Some power transmission lines to third countries remain in operation. All lines will be shut down on February 8, 2025, after the BRELL agreement [on a shared power transmission system of Russia, Belarus and the Baltic countries] expires. Their dismantlement will begin right after that," Litgrid said.
According to the operator, some lines to Russia and Belarus have to work as long as Lithuania is connected to the IPS/UPS system where the frequency is centrally regulated from Russia. "The lines ensure stability and reliability of the system's operation," it said.
Given the approaching synchronization of the power system of Baltic countries and Europe, the Lithuanian government crossed out seven 330kV power transmission lines from the list of national security facilities on October 23.
The lines connecting Vilnius and Molodechno, Alitus and Grodno, the Kruonio pumped storage plant and Sovetsk, and the Ignalina NPP and Smorgon, Polotsk, as well as two connecting lines between Bitenai and Sovetsk will no longer be essential to Lithuania's security.
As reported, power grids of Baltic countries will be synchronized with grids of mainland Europe on February 9, 2025. The day before that, on February 8, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will disconnect from the IPS/UPS system and run a joint check of isolated operation, after which they do not plan to return to the previous system.
Power transmission system operators of Baltic countries informed Russia and Belarus in July that they would not extend the BRELL agreement and would leave it in February 2025.