Baltic States Cut Ties with Russia’s Power Grid, Marking New Era of Energy Independence
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania disconnect from Russian grid as part of a strategic move to integrate with the EU’s energy system and bolster security.
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기사입력 : 2025.02.09 14:34
In a historic move, the three Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—officially disconnected from Russia's electricity system today, achieving a long-awaited milestone in their efforts to strengthen their energy independence and integrate with the European Union's energy grid.
The disconnection process, which began at 06:00 local time, was completed by 09:09 local time, with the Baltic countries now fully independent of the Russian IPS/UPS grid. The countries are set to be synchronized with the EU power grid tomorrow at 14:00 GMT, following successful operational tests ensuring the stability of their individual grids.
Lithuanian Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaitsiunas expressed pride in the achievement, declaring, "We have achieved the goal we have been striving for for so long. Now we are in control. We have eliminated any theoretical possibility that Russia could use control of the energy grid as a weapon."
This energy shift, which had been planned for years, gained urgency following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, making it clear that dependence on Russian energy could pose serious security risks.
The former Soviet republics, now EU and NATO members since 2004, have long been connected to Russia’s power grid. Cutting these ties removes a potential leverage point that Moscow could use against the Baltic states.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė celebrated the move as the "beginning of a new era of energy independence" for the region.
The event was marked with festivities in all three countries. In Latvia, a symbolic ceremony took place to cut the electric cable linking the country to Russia, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to attend a major celebration tomorrow in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Estonian and Latvian leaders also praised the achievement, with European diplomatic figures, including former Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, calling the move "a victory for democracy."
By breaking free from the Russian power grid, the Baltic nations are ensuring greater energy security and solidifying their role as integral members of the EU's energy infrastructure.
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