VILNIUS – A symbolic clock in Vilnius began on Thursday counting down the last 100 days until the Baltic power grids' exit from the joint electricity system agreement with Russia and Belarus (BRELL) and synchronization with the continental European network next February.
"This is a great day and a great result because we will continue to develop our energy sector, strengthen our energy system, and work to be self-sufficient in supplying our energy needs in the future, when electricity demand is expected to surge," Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said at the clock unveiling event.
"Connecting to the continental (European) electricity grid will allow us to do that," she added.
"This moment is very symbolic. If we look at where we started and the road we've taken, it hasn't been an easy one. It took us through energy blockades, pipeline disconnections, skyrocketing costs for consumers, and the Astravyets nuclear power plant in our neighborhood. However, we stood our ground, maintaining a clear vision and a specific goal," said Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, alongside Russia and Belarus, are still operating within the IPS/UPS system where electricity frequency is centrally regulated in Russia.
"Parting company with these unpleasant partners has been our long-term goal," said Simonyte.
"This is the last Soviet-era system in our countries; we will join the European family," Latvian Climate and Energy Minister Kaspars Melnis said during the event.
According to the Lithuanian Energy Ministry, the clock installed at the Energy Museum in Vilnius will count down the remaining time until the Baltic countries' energy independence, a goal that Lithuania has achieved through "an extremely long and difficult road".
The Baltic power grids are scheduled to start operating synchronously with the continental Europe system on February 9, 2025.
The day before, on February 8, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will decouple from the Russian IPS/UPS system and carry out a single joint isolated operation test, after which they will not return to the old system.
Back in July, the Baltic power transmission system operators notified Russia and Belarus of the non-extension of the BRELL contract and their withdrawal from the post-Soviet electricity system in February 2025.
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