Latest news with #LitPolLink
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The Baltic Sea's energy infrastructure is under attack. NATO must act
The European Union and NATO must strengthen cooperation to protect critical energy infrastructure from attacks, which pose a growing threat to European stability. The Kremlin, with its history of weaponizing energy, remains a prime suspect. NATO must properly secure the Baltic Sea — the so-called NATO lake. The Baltic states achieved independence from the post-Soviet energy system in February by connecting to the continental grid via Poland. However, this transition is being overshadowed by a series of incidents in the Baltic Sea, underscoring the urgent need to secure the energy bridge from Poland, known as the LitPol Link. Poland and the Baltic states are ramping up their preparations. Energy ministers from the Baltic states and Poland discussed preparations on Jan. 24 for the synchronization scheduled for Feb. 8-9. They announced plans for joint protection of the infrastructure required for this effort, following multiple incidents in the Baltic Sea. The synchronization will proceed without relying on the Estlink 2 cable, which was damaged in one of these incidents. The meeting in Riga focused on finalizing preparations for synchronization and strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure. 'The damage to the Estlink 2 power cable connecting Finland to Estonia has not impacted the ability of the Baltic states to safely disconnect from the Belarusian and Russian energy system and connect to the European grid,' the ministers concluded. Analyses indicate that the Baltic states have sufficient cross-border capacity through Estlink 1, NordBalt, and LitPol Link to synchronize with Europe without relying on Estlink 2. Synchronization entails disconnecting the Baltic states from the post-Soviet BRELL system — which will continue to include Belarus and Russia — and adapting Baltic energy systems to operate on the continental frequency. The LitPol Link power connection, running through Poland, will facilitate this transition. Synchronizing with the continental grid will eliminate energy exchanges with the BRELL system. This move is particularly significant for Kaliningrad Oblast, which will become an energy island — just as the Baltic states would have been if disconnected from BRELL without European synchronization. 'The resilience and protection of infrastructure have never been more important." However, we cannot be sure that other parts of the critical infrastructure needed for a successful disconnection from the post-Soviet system are safe from malign activity. The Baltic states and Poland are enhancing the security of LitPol Link and other critical infrastructure elements to protect the synchronization process. 'The resilience and protection of infrastructure have never been more important. The Russian Federation is deliberately destroying Ukraine's power grid, and its hybrid activities in the Baltic Sea underscore the importance of a well-secured energy system for defense,' said Krzysztof Bolesta, state secretary at Poland's Ministry of Climate and Environment. Poland is also taking lessons from another energy bridge to Lithuania, known as Harmony Link. Rising costs and security considerations led Polish and Lithuanian operators to plan Harmony Link as a subsoil cable instead of the originally proposed sea route. Land-based infrastructure is easier to secure and — more importantly — can be repaired faster. If sabotage damage can be repaired within a few weeks, the act of sabotage loses much of its impact. That is why the news that Finnish telecom company Elisa managed to repair two undersea cables in about two weeks was so encouraging. Another type of threat is emerging as well. Baltic operators have reported the spread of disinformation regarding the synchronization of their energy systems with Europe. 'We urge the public to critically evaluate information, resist emotional opinions, and refrain from spreading unverified reports,' participants of the Riga meeting emphasized. Beyond spreading fear, the enemy may be attempting to promote a false economic narrative — that disconnection from BRELL would significantly increase electricity costs. That narrative is false. According to a study conducted during the preparations, the average increase in energy prices for consumers with an average consumption of 140 kWh per month would be minimal: 50 cents per month in Lithuania, 60 cents in Estonia, and around one euro in Latvia. Relatively speaking, this is not a heavy impact. In return, the Baltic states gain energy independence from the Russian operator and market coupling with Europe, which promotes price decreases. Energy system operators in Poland and the Baltic states have been instructed by their governments to implement an urgent package of measures to enhance the security of critical energy infrastructure. Lithuania's Interior Ministry expedited the strengthening of the LitPol Link cable's protection, advancing the timeline from April to Jan. 15 in response to the severing of the Estlink 2 cable between Finland and Estonia on Dec. 26, 2024. Poland is also taking action. 'Polish Transmission System Operator (PSE) ensures the protection of transmission infrastructure within the Republic of Poland's territory. The company collaborates with relevant national services and institutions, as well as transmission system operators in neighboring countries,' PSE stated in a comment for the Energy Drink podcast. 'Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a state of heightened readiness has been in place, and the infrastructure is continuously monitored, with particular attention given to interconnections with Lithuania, Sweden, and Ukraine. New measures to enhance physical security are also being implemented.' PSE reports ongoing collaboration with operators in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to strengthen regional infrastructure protection. 'Discussions are underway about launching joint projects in this area and securing EU funding for them,' the statement adds. The increasing frequency of attacks on critical infrastructure — such as the recent incident involving the undersea cable between Latvia and Gotland — highlights the difficulty of attributing blame in a complex and interconnected world. Scandinavian media reports suggest it could have been an accident. However, there have been too many such 'accidents' since Russia's unlawful aggression against Ukraine began. The West needs to take the initiative and stop retreating. The EU and NATO must develop new tools and strategies to address these challenges and protect collective security — especially in the Baltic Sea, which must be properly secured as a NATO-controlled waterway. Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Submit an Opinion Read also: Europe must act on Russian LNG before Trump makes it impossible We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zelensky wants no Russian energy in Europe, suggests other suppliers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wants Europe to become even more energy independent from Russia in the wake of the Baltic states' disconnection from Russia's power grid and suggested the Middle East and North Africa as possible suppliers 'Moscow will no longer be able to use energy as a weapon against the Baltic states,' he said in his evening video address on Sunday, following the announcement that Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania had integrated their electricity grids into the European network after they had disconnected from Russia's energy system. "This is the path that we all in Europe must follow – all of us on the continent," Zelensky continued. This applies above all to the countries of Central Europe that still have treaties with Russia. "We need to work more with America - LNG gas, oil, we need to work more with our partners in the neighbouring countries of the European Union, in this region, to import the necessary energy." On Sunday afternoon, the three Baltic countries, which are all member of the European Union and NATO, were connected to Poland and the continental European grid via the LitPol Link power line, joining the world's largest synchronous grid serving more than 400 million consumers across 26 countries. The three former Soviet republics had already stopped their electricity imports from Russia as a reaction to Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Alternative? Caucasus, Middle East and North Africa Zelensky recommended the countries in the Caucasus, the Middle East and North Africa as an alternative to Russia as an energy supplier. "The less the Europeans depend on Russia, the sooner we can guarantee reliable security for everyone in Europe." At the beginning of the year, Ukraine shut off the transit of natural gas from Russia to Europe. Together with the EU, pressure must also be exerted on Russia's attempts to use its tankers and fleet "against us, against all of Europe." Ukraine has also extended the pressure of sanctions to the captains of the ships of the Russian shadow fleet. "This should be supported at the European level – the European Union should join these sanctions in the energy sector," Zelensky said.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Baltic states finally synchronise their power grids with Europe
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia synchronised their power grids with continental Europe on Sunday after 14:00. Source: Lithuanian news network LRT, as reported by European Pravda Quote from Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda: "A few minutes ago, I received great news – the synchronisation of the Baltic power grid with the networks of continental Europe has been successfully completed." Details: He called the synchronisation a historic moment that marks the end of a long journey of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia towards energy independence. Quote: "The times of political pressure and blackmail are finally over." Details: The president expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in this project, from technical staff to former or current leaders of the countries. The three Baltic states disconnected from the Russian electricity system (UES/UPS), which began operating smoothly in Soviet times on Saturday morning and operated in isolation until Sunday afternoon. The Baltic states are connected to the continental European synchronous zone via the Lithuanian-Polish power line LitPol Link. Besides the Lithuania-Poland LitPol Link overhead power connection, through which the synchronisation took place, the Baltic states are also connected to Northern Europe via the Lithuania-Sweden NordBalt offshore connection and the Estonia-Finland EstLink 1 and EstLink2 offshore connections. By 2030, it is planned to build another land connection between Lithuania and Poland – Harmony Link, intended for trade. Quote from Nausėda: "Harmony Link will facilitate stable synchronisation and electricity trading operations, ensuring competitive prices for households and industry." Background: Back in July 2024, energy ministers from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania confirmed their plans to synchronise with the continental European energy system ENTSO-E and disconnect from Russia by February 2025. On 8 February, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania officially disconnected from the Russian energy system. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal called it a "momentous day", while his predecessor in the post, now the top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas, called it a "victory for freedom and European unity". Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas expressed his belief that the disconnection of the three Baltic states from Russiaʼs energy system strengthens energy security and ensures stability. Support UP or become our patron!
