Electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) from the Continental Europe Synchronous Area have made important decisions regarding the isolated operation test of the Baltic states’ power systems and their synchronisation with Continental Europe. The TSOs of Estonia (Elering), Latvia (Augstsprieguma tīkls), and Lithuania (Litgrid) plan to join the Continental Europe Synchronous Area in February 2025 and disconnect from the Russian electricity grid.
These decisions were made by the Regional Group Continental Europe (RG CE), a part of ENTSO-E, an association of European electricity TSOs. The RG CE approved the island operation test programme for the Baltic states’ power systems and commenced trial synchronous operations with Continental Europe on February 9, 2025. The Baltic TSOs will continue implementing necessary measures until the end of 2024.
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania operate within the IPS/UPS system, where Russia controls the electricity frequency centrally. Synchronising with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area will enable independent, stable, and reliable frequency control of the Baltic electricity grids, enhancing energy security in the region.
On February 8, the Baltic TSOs will disconnect the Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian electricity systems from IPS/UPS and begin a joint isolated operation test. The synchronisation of the Baltic electricity systems with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area is scheduled for February 9, 2025. This synchronisation will improve EU transmission system interconnectivity and market integration, allowing the Baltic electricity systems to operate under standard and transparent European rules, ultimately benefiting all consumers.
The synchronisation project is supported by the EU, which has received a combined funding of approximately €1.2 billion from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Energy, which is expected to cover up to 75% of the eligible project costs.
The head of Elering, Kalle Kilgi, has stated that integrating the Baltic countries’ electricity systems with those of continental Europe represents a significant change in their energy landscape. This transition allows the Baltic countries to manage their electricity network operation frequency independently. Over the past ten years, Estonia has invested 350 million euros to develop this new system.
Kilgi noted that all critical infrastructure projects are already operational, and the IT systems are currently implemented. “Everything will be fully operational by the beginning of February,” he said.
Starting next year, the Baltic countries will be able to function in an “island mode,” meaning they can maintain their energy supply even if the electricity connections with the rest of Europe are severed. Talking to the media, Kilgi explained that while the current supply from older power plants is adequate for emergencies, there is a growing need for new power generation facilities in the long term.
Due to the planned phase-out of oil shale electricity, there will be a shortage of power plants capable of providing reserves by the end of the decade. In response, Elering is launching public tenders to acquire capacities of up to 500 megawatts. Jaanus Uiga, the deputy chancellor of the Estonian Ministry of Climate Change, indicated that new gas plants, such as the Kiisa emergency power plant, are likely candidates to provide fast response services, enabling quick adjustments to market price changes.
