Latest news with #Baltics'
Euronews
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
The Baltics scored a key European victory on energy security that can inspire others
Recent crises have highlighted the critical role that energy plays in our economies and societies. From Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East to blackouts in Chile and Spain, we have been repeatedly reminded of the need to ensure the security and reliability of our energy supplies, which can never be taken for granted. In this context, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania took a bold step forward this year to strengthen their energy security, which deserves widespread attention. For 65 years, the electricity systems of the three Baltic states operated fully within the Russian and Belarusian system, which Russia controls. Yet earlier this year, following extensive preparations, they switched away from this system and connected to the continental European grid instead. This is a clear and concrete example of what it means to take the hard but necessary actions to strengthen energy security, especially in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions. The change was not only a significant technical success but also a political victory for the entire European Union. Synchronising the electricity systems of the Baltic states with the rest of Europe helps to ensure the reliability of power supply for homes, businesses, hospitals and schools. It bolsters national and economic security. And it marks an important step towards closer integration with the EU's internal energy market – something Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been working towards since their independence from the Soviet Union in 1990. Strategic steps towards independence Before this reorientation, Russia retained sole control over a critical parameter of the Baltics' electricity systems: frequency. This meant it had the capacity to influence how the power systems in the Baltic states operated, making them vulnerable to Russia's weaponisation of energy. The Baltics long recognised this as a potential threat. In 2007, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania signalled their political will to desynchronise from the Russian system, and in 2018, they highlighted their intention to join the continental European system by the end of 2025. In the years that followed, the Baltic states took strategic steps towards greater energy independence from Russia, with a continued focus on their power systems. They approved and implemented key investments in infrastructure, including electricity connections to Poland, Finland and Sweden and among the Baltic states themselves. More than 40 projects were carried out in relation to the synchronisation project alone – including the installation of new and reconstructed power lines, substations, synchronous condensers and additional storage capacity. As a result, when Russia went on a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, the Baltic states were able to move swiftly – immediately ending electricity imports from Russia, which met between 10% and 25% of the Baltic states' total electricity demand on average. Then, on 9 February 2025, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania disconnected from Russia's power system and synchronised with Europe's through Poland – meeting this longstanding objective ahead of schedule and without incidents. Baltic states can serve as inspiration to others Reconfiguring an electricity system is a major undertaking, and this success was the result of many ingredients. Engineering was just one of them. Strong political will and long-term vision ensured direction and continuity across different governments. Meanwhile, cooperation – both among the sprawling network of power system stakeholders and regionally – also proved essential. Poland was pivotal in providing the necessary infrastructure and political support. The European Union also contributed significantly – financing 75% of the synchronisation investment costs. This strong example of regional cooperation can serve as a model to follow in other parts of the world that are looking to better integrate their electricity systems and markets, including Southeast Asia and more. Today, the Baltics are formulating new goals to deepen their energy security. This includes a push, together with Poland, to ensure the protection and resilience of critical energy infrastructure, which has recently come under threat. A new flagship framework for accomplishing this, based on four priorities – prevention, detection, response and repair – could ultimately serve as a blueprint for safeguarding critical energy infrastructure across the European Union and beyond. The successful and timely implementation of this new model will also require political and financial support from the European Union. We live in a complex and dangerous world today, with a wide range of serious energy security challenges – from geopolitical tensions to cyberattacks and extreme weather. In this context, it is vital to anticipate and prepare for adverse events before they happen. Through smart policymaking, courage and collaboration, the Baltic states are demonstrating what this looks like – and can serve as an inspiration to many countries around the world. Fatih Birol is Executive Director of International Energy Agency (IEA), Kaspars Melnis is Minister for Climate and Energy of Latvia, Andres Sutt is Minister of Energy and the Environment of Estonia, and Žygimantas Vaičiūnas is Energy Minister of Lithuania.
DW
22-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Inside Europe 22 May 2025 – DW – 05/22/2025
Kate Laycock 05/22/2025 May 22, 2025 On the show this week: Poland's presidential elections reveal a country on a knife-edge, Exercise Hedgehog in Estonia and the Baltics' hybrid warfare fears. Plus a Hungarian spy ring, Icelandic intrigue, Swiss bunkers, and Syrians returning home from Europe. A security special packed with stories from the frontlines of Europe's shifting geopolitics.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Estonia Unleashes Ida Hub Film and Innovation Center
Known as a tech-savvy country where Skype was invented, Estonia is making a new leap forward by unleashing the Baltics' first ever hub where creatives, tech pros and entrepreneurs can unite to lift the regional audiovisual sector to new levels. The Ida Hub film and multimedia centre is being built in Eastern Estonia's Ida-Viru county, near the Russian border. It combines state-of -the-art studios due to open in 2026 and skills development. Closely associated with the project is the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. More from Variety Tallinn Festival Hosts Baltic Goes to Cannes Showcase Creative Gate Opens Estonian Biz to the World Cannes' Focus COPRO Unveils Its Magnificent Seven: A 'Key Opportunity to Discover Talented Filmmakers' The $18.2 million Ida Hub complex, funded by the E.U.'s Just Transition Fund, will house a soundstage of 21,500 square feet, a smaller multifunction studio, post-production and creative industry spaces. Spearheading the venture are three partners: Ida Viru Investment Agency (IVIA), in charge of the whole complex, the Ida-Viru Business Centre (IVEK) which runs Estonia's first regional Viru Film Fund and incubates future film industry talents; and Tehnopol, the largest science and business park in the Baltics, which houses a film tech startup by the government and the E.U., the project was driven by the need to rebuild the economic structure of the region which used to be a mining industrial centre until its decline in the 1990s. As explained by IVIA's Teet Kuusmik, one of the priorities was 'to find new ways to attract the younger generation; this is when we got the idea to invest in film and multimedia infrastructure, and to create a magnet for new talent.' For him the goal is both to attract international productions and young local talents, while 'providing creative people with opportunities for self-realization in the film industry.' Teaming up with Tehnopol, 'one of the region's most successful IT incubators and startup accelerators' was a major step, he says, as well as securing support from IVEK. At the Ida Hub, Tehnopol runs the 'Film and Multimedia Accelerator' for startups working notably in multimedia, virtual, augmented reality and AI. Program manager Olga Kurdovskaja says 11 startups so far have signed up, including teams integrating AI into content creation, working on virtual location scouting, and developing modular studio infrastructure. One of the active participants is VisioTag which is 'developing a tool that helps media professionals and influencers accelerate video tagging and streamline post-production workflow.' Also present is the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival's Creative Industry Hub startup and its dual AI solutions: SUSI AI and its recommendations and event navigation tool for festival visitors and professionals, and Creative Gate, a platform connecting the Estonian creative industry with the international community. At the Marché du Film Cannes Next showcase, Tehnopol will be looking for new networking and business opportunities for themselves and their startups. Meanwhile Ida Hub's second major training gig, the Film Industry Incubation program, run by IVEK, is described by coordinator Britta Merirand, as a 'hands-on training initiative for professionals and entrepreneurs eager to enter the industry. The match-making program focuses on 'essential behind-the scenes-roles, from logistics to catering, photography and coordination.' Marge Liiske, head of Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, underlines the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (known as PÖFF) 's contribution to transforming the Ida-Viru region from a declining industrial area into an innovative film and multimedia hub. 'Alongside running KinoFF – the easternmost satellite of the Black Nights Film Festival – and enriching the region's cultural scene for years, PÖFF launched its hands-on training program in Ida-Viru in 2022 to help locals with no prior film experience gain the skills needed to work on film sets. With the second round rolling out in 2024–2025, these new talents will hopefully form a strong pool of crew members for the international film studio complex, set to open in 2026. Together, these long-term efforts are helping to turn Ida-Viru into Estonia's second major audiovisual hub,' she says. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Oscars Predictions 2026: 'Sinners' Becomes Early Contender Ahead of Cannes Film Festival
Al Jazeera
10-02-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Why have Baltic states unplugged from Russia's electricity grid?
The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have officially severed the flow of electricity between themselves and Russia after officials switched off the Soviet-era grid's transmission lines and joined the rest of Europe. This came more than three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending the Baltics' final energy ties to oil- and gas-rich Russia. For the three countries, as well as the rest of Europe, the move was steeped in geopolitical and symbolic significance. Here's what you need to know about the Baltic countries ending electricity ties with Russia: What happened? On Saturday, all remaining transmission lines between the Baltic countries and Russia, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, wedged between EU members Poland and Lithuania and the Baltic Sea, were switched off one by one. For 24 hours after detaching from the Soviet-era grid, the Baltic Power System operated independently before being merged with European energy networks on Sunday afternoon. After disconnecting from the IPS/UPS network, the Baltic nations cut cross-border high-voltage transmission lines in eastern Latvia, some 100 metres from the Russian border, handing out pieces of chopped wire to enthusiastic bystanders as keepsakes. Analysts say that maintaining a constant power supply requires a stable grid frequency, which can more easily be obtained over time in a large synchronised area such as Russia or continental Europe, compared with what the Baltics can do on their own. Why were they getting their electricity from Russia, and why did they stop? The Baltic states inherited their electricity infrastructure from the Soviet Union, established in the 1950s, and remained part of Russia's BRELL network even after gaining independence in 1990. Although they stopped buying Russian electricity after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, their power grids remained physically connected to Russia and Belarus. This meant their electricity supply was still controlled from Moscow, leaving their factories and essential facilities dependent on Russia for stable power. How much did Russia provide electricity to these states? According to a report by Free Policy Briefs, a publication affiliated with the Forum for Research on Eastern Europe and Emerging Economies (FREE Network), the Baltic states imported approximately 10 percent of their electricity from Russia before 2022. Where will the Baltic states now get their electricity from? The power system has been merged with the European energy networks through several links with Finland, Sweden and Poland. What does it mean for the Baltic states? The severing of electricity was praised by the European Commission and the Baltic states. 'The Baltic energy system is finally in our hands, we are in full control,' Lithuania's Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunass said. The country's president, Gitanas Nauseda, told The Associated Press news agency that it was a 'historic moment, marking the end of a long journey for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia'. 'From now on, we have achieved full energy independence. The period of political pressure and blackmail is finally over,' the president said. The EU welcomed the Baltic states joining its electric grid. 'Russia can no longer use energy as a tool of blackmail,' said Kaja Kallas, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. Kallas was Estonia's first female prime minister, from 2021 to 2024. What does it mean for Russia? The decoupling means Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, located between Lithuania, Poland and the Baltic Sea, is cut off from Russia's main grid — it must now maintain its power system alone. The Kremlin said it has taken all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted, reliable operation of its electricity system, including the construction of several gas-fired power plants in Kaliningrad. 'Electricity lines with Russia and Belarus are being dismantled. These chains of power lines linking you to hostile neighbours will be a thing of the past,' said Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president. What are the concerns going forward? Authorities have warned of potential risks, including sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. 'Various short-term risks are possible, such as kinetic operations against critical infrastructure, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns,' Lithuania's state security department told the AFP news agency. The Baltic Sea region is on high alert following power cable, telecom and gas pipeline outages between the Baltics and Sweden or Finland. All were believed to have been caused by ships dragging anchors along the seabed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia has denied any involvement. 'Recent incidents involving undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea provide a matter of great concern. And a call for resolute action,' said Lithuanian President Nausda. Poland and the Baltics deployed navy assets, elite police units and helicopters to monitor the area after an undersea power link from Finland to Estonia was damaged in December, while Lithuania's military began drills to protect the overland connection to Poland. Analysts say any further damage to links could push power prices in the Baltics to levels not seen since the invasion of Ukraine, when energy prices soared. Poland's power grid operator PSE said it will use helicopters and drones to patrol the connection with Lithuania.
Arab Times
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
3 Baltic states disconnect from Soviet-era grid to merge with European energy system
VILNIUS, Lithuania, Feb 10, (AP): The flow of electricity between the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and Russia was officially severed Saturday morning after officials switched off the Soviet-era grid's transmission lines and prepared to join the rest of Europe on Sunday. This came more than three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending the Baltics' final ties to oil- and gas-rich Russia. For the three countries, as well as the rest of Europe, the move was steeped in geopolitical and symbolic significance. "The Baltic energy system is finally in our hands, we are in full control,' Lithuania Energy minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas told reporters. On Saturday, all remaining transmission lines between them and Russia, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, wedged between EU members Poland and Lithuania and the sea, were switched off one by one. Lithuania first - where a specially-made 9-meter (about 29-foot) tall clock in downtown Vilnius counted down the final seconds - then Latvia a few minutes later, followed by Estonia. For 24 hours after detaching from the Soviet-era grid, the Baltic Power System will operate independently. If all goes as planned, the power system will merge with the European energy networks on Sunday afternoon through several links with Finland, Sweden and Poland. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the presidents of Poland and the Baltic states, are expected for a ceremony in Vilnius on Sunday evening along with other dignitaries. The Baltic countries, which are all NATO members, have often had chilly ties with Russia since declaring independence from the USSR in 1990 - and relations soured further over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sixteen power lines that used to connect the Baltic states with Russia and Belarus were dismantled over in recent years as a new grid linking them with the rest of the EU was created, including underwater cables in the Baltic Sea. "This is physical disconnection from the last remaining element of our reliance on the Russian and Belarusian energy system,' Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda told The Associated Press in a recent interview.
