Lithuania plans to disconnect its power grid from Russia’s to gauge its ability to sever its last remaining energy link to Moscow.
Network operator Litgrid is scheduled to carry out a test from 11am to 9pm today in which all connections to Russia’s network would be completely cut. The electricity on the grid would only come from domestic sources, as well as imports from Sweden and Poland.
Lithuania, along with Latvia and Estonia, has focused on cutting its energy dependency on Moscow by seeking alternative supplies of oil, gas and electricity.
Photo: AP
While the Baltic states no longer import Russian fossil fuels after the invasion of Ukraine last year, they still rely on it to maintain the stability of their electricity systems.
“For the first time in history, Lithuania’s electricity system will operate fully independently, so we are taking on responsible preparations for the test and will be ready for all scenarios,” Litgrid CEO Rokas Masiulis said. “Consumers won’t notice the test.”
The Baltic nations would benefit from more than 1 billion euros (US$1.1 billion) of EU investment to help them along. They had planned to leave the Russian grid by 2025, but it could happen next year if the test goes well, Lithuanian Minister of Energy Dainius Kreivys said.
To fully disconnect the lines, the synchronization with continental Europe has to take place jointly with Latvia and Estonia, although they say they need more time to prepare for the switch.
Lithuania’s test would also isolate Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia’s exclave on the Baltic Sea.
Russian utility Inter RAO has expanded power capacity there, also to operate independently of Lithuania.
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