Lithuania has officially disconnected from the Russian power grid, moving to join Latvia and Estonia in synchronizing with the European Union's grid this weekend.
Grid operator Litgrid to dismantle power transmission lines with Russia and Belarus by July 2024 - Video: CNN/LITGRID
According to Reuters news agency, on February 8, Lithuania announced that the country had officially separated from Russia's power grid.
"We have disconnected it," a spokesperson for the country's grid operator Litgrid confirmed.
Lithuania is the first of the three Baltic states to disconnect from the Russian grid. Latvia and Estonia are also expected to disconnect on February 8.
After final tests, the three countries will synchronize with the European Union (EU) grid on February 9 and temporarily operate the system themselves until then.
Lithuania's Energy Ministry said it has prepared contingency plans in case of power shortages. Some large power users, such as factories, may be temporarily cut off to prioritize power for essential needs.
Plans to “break away” from the Russian grid have been discussed by the Baltic states for decades, but only really gained momentum after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
The grid is the last link between the Baltic states and Russia, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The countries joined the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2004.
Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia previously relied on Russia's power grid to control frequencies and stabilize the grid to avoid blackouts. However, after Russia launched a "special military operation" in Ukraine in 2022, these countries stopped buying Russian electricity to show support for Kiev.
These countries have been preparing for a long time to connect to the European grid, but have encountered a number of technological and financial problems.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lithuania-dut-ao-khoi-luoi-dien-nga-quay-sang-eu-2025020814033363.htm
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