Government approves bill on synchronizing Lithuania’s power grids with EU

The document defines the main stages of integration and the terms required for their implementation.

“The national energy independence can only be achieved through full integration into the European infrastructure and systems. In order to achieve that, it is vital to complete and develop the projects of electricity links with Poland and Sweden, become members of the electricity market of the Baltic states as well as of the common European electricity market, and to implement projects of alternative supply of gas and effective gas market", Energy Minister Arvydas Sekmokas said in a press release.

The bill on Lithuanian electricity system’s integration into the European electricity systems stipulates that Lithuania’s system should be connected with the European continental electricity grids for synchronous operation in 2020.

To achieve this, the first Lithuanian-Polish electricity link LitPol Link 1 should be put in operation by 2015 and an additional link LitPol Link 2 should be built in 2018-2020. Moreover, the Lithuanian-Swedish power link NordBalt should be commissioned in 2015. Other measures include the creation of a regional Baltic electricity market and participation in Nordic and European electricity markets as well as the development of competitive local electricity generation capacities.

The Cabinet approved a concept of the country’s electricity system synchronization with the European grids at the end of April. However, Sekmokas then said that a legislative act should be passed for its implementation.