Baltic States Accelerate Energy Independence, Set to Sever Russian Grid Ties by Early 2025

The Baltic States are on track to achieve full disconnection from the Russian-controlled power grid by early 2025. According to a report by LRT, operators from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have formally notified their counterparts in Russia and Belarus about their decision not to extend the existing BRELL agreement beyond February 2025.

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Baltic States have been synchronously connected to the Integrated Power System/United Power System (IPS/UPS) grid with Russia and Belarus under the BRELL agreement. However, in a significant move towards energy independence, the Baltic operators plan to synchronize with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area on February 9, 2025.

Prior to this synchronization, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia will conduct a single isolated operation test the day before, as announced by the Latvian operator AST.

Litgrid CEO Rokas Masiulis emphasized the milestone significance of this move, marking a definitive break from Russia in the energy sector. He noted that the Baltic operators have already ceased commercial relations with Russia and Belarus and are fully prepared for emergency synchronization if required.

Originally aiming for synchronization by the end of 2025, the Baltic States accelerated their timeline in response to geopolitical developments, particularly Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are the only EU countries still part of the BRELL system, which includes Russia and Belarus. Integration into the continental grid will enhance energy security and autonomy for the Baltic States within the European Union.

In a separate development, Ukraine disconnected from the energy systems of Russia and Belarus from February 24-26, 2022, as part of preparations to synchronize with the European ENTSO-E network. During this period, Ukraine’s energy system, including the island of Burshtynska TPP, operated independently to demonstrate its stability in maintaining a consistent frequency under varying conditions.

Ukraine had invested over 600 million euros in upgrading its energy infrastructure to meet ENTSO-E standards, and the certification of Ukrenergo according to ISO standards was a pivotal milestone towards full synchronization with the European grid.