Lithuania intends to decouple its energy network from that of Russia to test its ability to end the last energy connection it has with Moscow, Bloomberg reports.
Grid operator Litgrid AB will run this test on Saturday, between 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., during which time all connections with the Russian energy grid will be completely interrupted. The electricity in the Lithuanian network will come from domestic sources as well as from imports from Sweden and Poland, according to Agerpres.
Lithuania along with Latvia and Estonia have focused on reducing energy dependence on Moscow by looking for alternative sources of oil, gas and electricity supply. Even though the Baltic states stopped importing Russian fossil fuels after invading Ukraine last year, the three countries still rely on their larger neighbor to maintain the stability of the electricity system.
“For the first time in its history, the electricity system in Lithuania will operate completely independently, so we are making responsible preparations for this test and will be ready for all scenarios. Consumers will not be aware of this test,” said Rokas Masiulis, the general manager of Litgrid.
The Baltic country will benefit from an investment from the EU worth over one billion euros to help it. Officials in Vilnius intended to disconnect from the Russian grid in 2025, but if the tests are successful, it is possible that the disconnection will take place as early as the following year, Lithuanian Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys said.
In order to completely decouple the energy lines, synchronization with continental Europe needs to be done together with Latvia and Estonia, even if these two countries say they need more time to prepare for this transition.
In addition, Lithuania’s test will also mean the isolation of the Kaliningrad region, the Russian enclave in the Baltic Sea. Utility company Inter Rao has expanded its energy capacity in Kaliningrad to be able to operate independently of Lithuania.