The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have formally severed the circulation of electrical energy between themselves and Russia after officers switched off the Soviet-era grid’s transmission traces and joined the remainder of Europe.
This got here greater than three a long time after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending the Baltics’ ultimate vitality ties to oil- and gas-rich Russia. For the three nations, in addition to the remainder of Europe, the transfer was steeped in geopolitical and symbolic significance.
Right here’s what it’s good to know in regards to the Baltic nations ending electrical energy ties with Russia:
What occurred?
On Saturday, all remaining transmission traces between the Baltic nations and Russia, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, wedged between EU members Poland and Lithuania and the Baltic Sea, have been switched off one after the other.
For twenty-four hours after detaching from the Soviet-era grid, the Baltic Energy System operated independently earlier than being merged with European vitality networks on Sunday afternoon.
After disconnecting from the IPS/UPS community, the Baltic nations reduce cross-border high-voltage transmission traces in jap Latvia, some 100 metres from the Russian border, handing out items of chopped wire to enthusiastic bystanders as keepsakes.
Analysts say that sustaining a relentless energy provide requires a secure grid frequency, which might extra simply be obtained over time in a big synchronised space similar to Russia or continental Europe, in contrast with what the Baltics can do on their very own.
Why have been they getting their electrical energy from Russia, and why did they cease?
The Baltic states inherited their electrical energy infrastructure from the Soviet Union, established within the Fifties, and remained a part of Russia’s BRELL community even after gaining independence in 1990.
Though they stopped shopping for Russian electrical energy after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, their energy grids remained bodily linked to Russia and Belarus.
This meant their electrical energy provide was nonetheless managed from Moscow, leaving their factories and important services depending on Russia for secure energy.
How a lot did Russia present electrical energy to those states?
In line with a report by Free Coverage Briefs, a publication affiliated with the Discussion board for Analysis on Jap Europe and Rising Economies (FREE Community), the Baltic states imported roughly 10 % of their electrical energy from Russia earlier than 2022.
The place will the Baltic states now get their electrical energy from?
The ability system has been merged with the European vitality networks by means of a number of hyperlinks with Finland, Sweden and Poland.
What does it imply for the Baltic states?
The severing of electrical energy was praised by the European Fee and the Baltic states.
“The Baltic vitality system is lastly in our fingers, we’re in full management,” Lithuania’s Power Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunass stated.
The nation’s president, Gitanas Nauseda, advised The Related Press information company that it was a “historic second, marking the tip of a protracted journey for Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia”.
“Any longer, we’ve achieved full vitality independence. The interval of political stress and blackmail is lastly over,” the president stated.
The EU welcomed the Baltic states becoming a member of its electrical grid.
“Russia can not use vitality as a device of blackmail,” stated Kaja Kallas, EU excessive consultant for international affairs and safety coverage. Kallas was Estonia’s first feminine prime minister, from 2021 to 2024.
Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia will completely disconnect from Russia’s energy grid tomorrow.
Russia can not use vitality as a device of blackmail.
This can be a victory for freedom and European unity.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) February 7, 2025
What does it imply for Russia?
The decoupling means Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, positioned between Lithuania, Poland and the Baltic Sea, is reduce off from Russia’s essential grid — it should now keep its energy system alone.
The Kremlin stated it has taken all needed measures to make sure uninterrupted, dependable operation of its electrical energy system, together with the development of a number of gas-fired energy crops in Kaliningrad.
“Electrical energy traces with Russia and Belarus are being dismantled. These chains of energy traces linking you to hostile neighbours will likely be a factor of the previous,” stated Ursula von der Leyen, European Fee president.
What are the issues going ahead?
Authorities have warned of potential dangers, together with sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
“Numerous short-term dangers are doable, similar to kinetic operations in opposition to crucial infrastructure, cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns,” Lithuania’s state safety division advised the AFP information company.
The Baltic Sea area is on excessive alert following energy cable, telecom and fuel pipeline outages between the Baltics and Sweden or Finland. All have been believed to have been brought on by ships dragging anchors alongside the seabed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia has denied any involvement.
“Latest incidents involving undersea infrastructure within the Baltic Sea present a matter of nice concern. And a name for resolute motion,” stated Lithuanian President Nausda.
Poland and the Baltics deployed navy property, elite police models and helicopters to observe the realm after an undersea energy hyperlink from Finland to Estonia was broken in December, whereas Lithuania’s navy started drills to guard the overland connection to Poland.
Analysts say any additional harm to hyperlinks may push energy costs within the Baltics to ranges not seen because the invasion of Ukraine, when vitality costs soared.
Poland’s energy grid operator PSE stated it is going to use helicopters and drones to patrol the reference to Lithuania.