Baltic States power systems synchronised with Continental Europe
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have successfully synchronised their electricity systems with the Continental European Synchronous Area. This is an important milestone for the Baltic States and Europe, strengthening the energy independence and resilience of the whole region.
Synchronisation allows the Baltic countries to operate their electricity systems in close cooperation with other continental European countries, ensuring stable and reliable frequency control, thereby enhancing regional energy security. Previously dependent on Russia's IPS/UPS system for frequency control, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are now connected to a continental European grid covering more than 400 million customers in 26 countries. All electricity connections to Russia and Belarus are permanently disconnected.
Synchronisation enhances the integration of Europe's electricity systems and markets, allowing the Baltic electricity systems to operate under common and clear European rules. It also fosters the development of renewable energy in the Baltics and Poland: newly built and reconstructed power lines, substations and synchronous condensers due to synchronisation increase the ability of transmission networks to integrate a higher share of renewables in the overall electricity production. This step ensures that from now on Lithuania together with Latvia and Estonia can build a bright, free, economically strong and secure future.
The synchronisation projects implemented by the Baltic and Polish transmission system operators are partly financed by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility.
Why is synchronisation important for Lithuania?
This is energy freedom from Russian influence - we have strengthened Lithuania's national security.
We have become a full participant in Europe's electricity infrastructure, managing the electricity system independently.
The new lines and facilities contribute to Lithuania's goal of becoming a country that generates 100% of its electricity from wind, solar and other renewables.
How did the synchronisation process take place?
On 8 February 2025, the Baltic transmission system operators disconnected the electricity grids of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from the Russian-controlled IPS/UPS system and operated in isolated mode. On 9 February, the Baltic power systems were synchronised with the Continental European grid.
Who implemented synchronisation in Lithuania?
The company manages more than 7,000 km of overhead lines in Lithuania, more than 200 transformer substations and 17 interconnections with other countries, and maintains them on a regular basis to ensure the proper transmission of electricity to all the country's residents, institutions and other organisations.
The implementation of synchronisation in Lithuania is carried out by Litgrid, the Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator, which maintains the stable operation of the country's electricity system, manages the flow of electricity, creates conditions for competition in the open electricity market, and facilitates the connection of renewable energy sources to the transmission grid.
The synchronisation of the Baltic countries with the continental European grid took place through the extension of the existing LitPol Link interconnector between Lithuania and Poland. In preparation for synchronisation, synchronous condensers were installed, the internal Baltic-Polish transmission networks were reinforced, and control systems were prepared for disconnection from Russia and stand-alone operation.
The disconnection from the Russian-controlled system, the testing and the connection to continental Europe took place seamlessly, just like Litgrid's isolated operation test of the Lithuanian electricity system in April 2023.
Expansion of LitPol Link in Alytus
Synchronisation projects implemented in Lithuania
Expansion of Bitėnai transformer substation
Construction of Pagėgiai-Bitėnai 110 kV overhead line
Reconstruction of Lietuvos E-Vilnius 330 kV overhead line
Grid optimisation in North-Eastern Lithuania
Implementation of Automatic Generation Control System
Emergency support test of Lithuanian power system from Polish system
Lithuanian Power System Island Operation Test
The Baltic synchronisation involves more than 40 projects across Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, including the construction of transmission lines and substations, the installation of synchronous condensers, and the implementation of control systems. In Lithuania, 20 synchronisation projects are underway. Following the synchronisation on 9 February, Lithuania will continue to complete work on the Vilnius hub, western Lithuania, initiating the Harmony Link design phase, and advancing other projects that reinforce the country’s energy backbone.
