The three Baltic nations have officially disconnected their electricity systems from Russia’s power grid, according to regional operators, as part of a strategy aimed at enhancing their integration with the European Union and improving security.
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have severed ties with the IPS/UPS joint network and, pending final tests, are set to synchronize with the EU’s grid today after managing independently in the interim.
“We have accomplished the goal we have pursued for so long. We are now in command,” stated Lithuanian Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas during a press conference.
The initiative for the Baltics to separate from the grid of their former Soviet overseer, a topic debated for years, gained traction following Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The three strong supporters of Ukraine halted electricity purchases from Russia after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, yet they had depended on the Russian grid to maintain frequency control and stabilize networks to prevent outages.
“By eliminating the energy dependence of the Baltic states on Russia, we are depriving the aggressor of the ability to use energy as a weapon against us,” remarked Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will officiate the switch at a ceremony tomorrow.
An army truck was spotted at the Rezekne power substation near the Latvia-Russia border, with armed officers patrolling the area and the nearby town, reflecting Baltic concerns over possible sabotage to hinder the transition.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to address a ceremony tomorrow to commemorate the transition to the EU system, according to her office.
“The system is stable, the process is proceeding smoothly, and no one is noticing any changes,” remarked Latvian Energy Minister Kaspars Melnis after the decoupling.
To maintain a steady power supply, a stable grid frequency is essential, which can be more easily managed over time in a large synchronized area, such as Russia or continental Europe, compared to the capabilities of the Baltics operating independently, analysts indicate.
Lithuania’s energy ministry has developed contingency plans to temporarily disconnect some major energy consumers, like factories, from the grid during power shortages to ensure essential supply continuity.
For Russia, this decoupling means that its Kaliningrad exclave, situated between Lithuania, Poland, and the Baltic Sea, is isolated from Russia’s main grid, forcing it to manage its power system independently.
The Baltic countries have invested nearly €1.6 billion since 2018 to upgrade their grids in preparation, while Russia has allocated 100 billion roubles (€1 billion), which includes the construction of several gas-fired power plants in Kaliningrad.
