The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are poised to sever their last remaining energy ties with Russia, marking a historic geopolitical shift towards European energy independence. This decisive action comes nearly 35 years after these nations declared their independence from the Soviet Union. On the upcoming weekend, they will transition their electricity grids away from Russia and Belarus, instead integrating with their European Union allies.
The severing of these electricity ties holds deep geopolitical and symbolic significance, especially in the context of recent global events. The process hastened following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which further soured relationships between the Baltic states and Moscow. This is the physical disconnection from the last remaining element of our reliance on the Russian and Belarusian energy system, stated Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda in a recent interview.
A significant event is scheduled in Vilnius, where a specially crafted 9-meter tall clock will count down the final moments of the Baltic states' connection to Russia. The event is set to welcome EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and other dignitaries, signifying the deeper integration of these countries into the EU energy ecosystem.
Historically, the Baltic countries, now NATO members, have experienced strained relations with Russia since they declared their independence from the USSR in 1990. These relations deteriorated further following the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Over the years, the Baltic states have systematically dismantled the 16 power lines that once connected them with Russia and Belarus. They have simultaneously built a new grid that links with the EU, including creating underwater cables in the Baltic Sea.
This weekend marks a crucial step in this progress as all remaining transmission lines connecting them to Russia, Belarus, and Russia's Kaliningrad enclave will be switched off. Following this, the Baltic Power System will operate solo in an island operation mode for 24 hours before merging with the Continental European and Nordic grids through connections with Finland, Sweden, and Poland.
The Kaliningrad region, a Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania, will not be affected, as it already relies on its power generation capacity. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, has stated that this had long been anticipated, and the Russian energy sector had prepared for this change. We have taken all necessary measures to ensure reliable and uninterrupted operation of our unified energy system, Peskov affirmed.
The Baltic nations were proactive in informing Moscow and Minsk of their disconnection plans, officially notifying them in July. Their national transmission system operators received approximately 1.2 billion euros in support from the EU for synchronizing with the Continental European grid.
Despite the advance notice, the Baltic states remain vigilant against potential Russian responses, including cyberattacks. Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa highlighted the ongoing preparedness and enhanced security measures being implemented. Clearly, there are risks, but these are identified and we have a contingency plan, Siliņa reassured.
In addition to security concerns, the disconnection announcement prompted misinformation campaigns across social media and streets, falsely predicting severe blackouts and colossal energy bills. Jolanta Karavaitienė, a retired teacher in Vilnius, dismissed such rumors as baseless, emphasizing the necessity of the disconnection given the geopolitical climate.
In light of potential disruptions, some citizens have taken precautionary measures. Estonia reported a surge in generator purchases, with retailers experiencing significant increases in sales compared to previous years. The Baltic countries have indeed been preparing for this moment over decades. Lithuania's decision to decommission the Soviet-built Ignalina nuclear power plant in 2009, among other energy independence strides, highlights its commitment to reducing reliance on Russian resources.
Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Litgrid, emphasized that Lithuania is well-prepared for the transition, supported by increased electricity capacity from fossil fuels, solar, and wind energy. We are safe, he assured, noting that the disconnection represents a move towards autonomy rather than adversity for either side. Masiulis further expressed that through acts of aggression, Russia inadvertently accelerated Baltic efforts toward energy independence, resulting in a more robust energy infrastructure today.
