Baltic states Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have disconnected from Russia’s power grid, joining the European Union’s network in a move that blocks Moscow’s ability to geopolitically blackmail them via the electricity system. The switch marks the culmination of years-long efforts and gains urgency following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The three former Soviet republics completed the disconnection process at 9:09 local time on Saturday, with Lithuania’s Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas stating that they have removed any theoretical possibility of Russia using energy control as a weapon. The Baltic states will operate in “isolated mode” for about 24 hours to test their frequency and power levels before integrating into the European grid via Poland.
The move has been hailed by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who described it as a “victory for freedom and European unity.” However, authorities have warned of potential risks linked to the change, including kinetic operations against critical infrastructure, cyber-attacks, and disinformation campaigns. Lithuania’s state security department has advised citizens to be aware of these risks.
The Baltic states have invested $1.7 billion in the synchronization project across the region and Poland, with officials assuring that the switch will not affect consumers’ bills or cause significant inconvenience. However, some consumers have expressed concern about power cuts, leading to increased sales of generators. The move is seen as a key step towards the region’s integration into the European energy market and reducing dependence on Russia.
Source: https://www.voanews.com/a/baltics-begin-decoupling-from-russian-power-grid/7967586.html