Today marks the full independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania from the Russian and Belarusian electricity systems. They have integrated into the EUs energy market by connecting to the European continental grid through Poland, allowing them to operate under European regulations. This enhances the security of energy supply and supports renewable energy integration, promising lower costs for consumers.
The project, supported by the European Commission, received over €1.23 billion from the EUs Connecting Europe Facility, covering 75% of costs, along with investments from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. Key figures, including President Ursula von der Leyen, attended the Energy Independence Day ceremony in Lithuania.
This synchronization removes the last EU networks tied to Russias energy system, reducing dependency and enhancing regional security. The project was completed 10 months ahead of schedule thanks to collaboration among EU members and stakeholders.
Further work, including the Harmony Link Interconnector, will continue to strengthen regional ties by 2030.
Background
EU support through the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan has been crucial, with over 40 projects facilitating this shift towards energy autonomy. The project was managed by ENTSO-E and supported by further investments in battery storage systems.
On February 8, 2025, the Baltic States disconnected from Russian control and began synchronizing with Europe, marking a new era of energy independence, as celebrated by President von der Leyen.
For More Information
Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan
New European Coordinator for the Baltic Synchronisation energy project