The Baltic countries are completing the process of complete disconnection from the power grid of the Russian Federation
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are completing the process of disconnection from the Russian energy system, finally severing historical ties with Moscow in the field of energy. About this reported Minister of Energy of Lithuania Žigimantas Vajciunas.
“Now we are depriving Russia of the opportunity to use the energy system as a tool of geopolitical blackmail.” he said.
Latvia is expected to physically disconnect the power line to Russia on Saturday, February 8. And the next day, an official ceremony will be held in Vilnius with the participation of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the leaders of the Baltic States.
“We can finally take matters into our own hands”, the minister added.
In recent years, the Baltic states have been actively integrating into the European energy system, but Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has become an impetus for accelerating this process. Previously, the countries had already stopped buying Russian gas and electricity, but their power grids remained connected to the Russian and Belarusian power systems, which created the risk of energy dependence on Moscow.
“Russia could use energy as a weapon, creating the risk of unplanned power outages due to political decisions”Vaichiunas emphasized.
At 07:00 GMT this Saturday, the three countries will enter a so-called “isolation regime” that will last for about 24 hours. During this period, network operators will test the stability of the energy system.
At the same time, the Baltic countries expect possible provocations from Russia. In order to ensure safety, the Polish power grid operator PSE plans to use helicopters and drones to patrol power lines between Poland and Lithuania.
It is worth noting that the disconnection of the Baltic states will also affect the Kaliningrad region, which will then lose connection with the power system of mainland Russia.
