The reconstruction of a 330 kilovolts (kV) overhead line, spanning from Valmiera (Latvia) to Tsirguliina (Estonia) was completed and it is one of the key infrastructure projects to ensure the synchronisation of the electricity networks of the Baltic countries with European network.
On behalf of the European Commission’s Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy (ENER), Hugo Evangelista, Legal and Policy Specialist of infrastructure and regional cooperation at ENER expressed appreciation to the Latvian and Estonian transmission system operators – AST and Elering for the implementation of this important project.
“Due to its urgency and importance the Baltic synchronisation project has been on the highest agenda of the EU for over 12 years now,” he said. “This has been evidenced by significant support by the European Council and the Commission in the form of political declarations, technical support and, not least important, financial support exceeding 1.2 billion euros. The Baltic Sea region has probably the most significant tradition in terms of regional cooperation in the field of energy. […] Only 15 years ago, the Baltic States and Finland were completely isolated from the EU energy grid and fully dependant on Russia. Today, we are in a region that is very well interconnected, both in gas and electricity, ensuring and where energy security is ensured. We are close to reaching our agreed date of Synchronisation in February 2025.”
“The most ambitious energy independence project in the Baltic States – the completed switchover from the Russian energy system to the European energy system – is rapidly approaching its final phase,” commented Jānis Irbe, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Climate and Energy of Latvia. “This is a historic milestone for the energy independence of Latvia and the Baltics. The reconstruction of the Valmiera-Tsirgulina line is one of the most important preconditions for the synchronisation of the Baltic electricity network with Europe. Energy independence, the security of energy supply that we will be able to maintain with a strong infrastructure, is particularly important in the current geopolitical situation. With this project we are increasing the capacity of transmission line, making more efficient market operation in the Baltics, as well as improving competitiveness in the region.”
The length of the overhead line in the territory of Latvia reaches almost 50 kilometres, crossing the territory of Valmiera and Valka regions. The length of the line’s cables reaches 450 kilometres, it has 114 pylons, the total weight of which exceeds 1,000 tons. The Valmiera-Tsirguliina and Valmiera-Tartu overhead lines were built in the 1960s and 1970s. Both 330 kV overhead lines were reconstructed by replacing all the old infrastructure.
Reconstruction of the electricity transmission line Valmiera-Tsirguliina and the electricity transmission line Valmiera-Tartu completed in 2023 will provide sufficient infrastructure for the energy independence of the Baltic States from Russia’s power system, serving as the prerequisite for the successful synchronisation of the Baltic States’ power system with the grids of Continental Europe, which is planned for 2025.