The operators of the Baltic power transmission system officially notified Russia and Belarus of the non-renewal of the so-called BRELL contract and their withdrawal from the Moscow-controlled post-Soviet electricity system in February 2025.
The move by Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, all three NATO member countries, was seen as a step towards Western Europe.
This step of theirs has been praised by the head of diplomacy of the EU, Josep Borell, who said that it is an important step in the context of the war in Ukraine, reports RKS.
“The Baltic states have announced desynchronization from the BRELL electricity grid with Russia to join the EU electricity grid in 2025. It is a big step towards EU unity and away from Russian control. Strategically important also in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine”, wrote Borrell.
Former Lithuanian energy minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas said Lithuania’s power system is ready to work in synchronous mode with European grids, although it will have to complete technical preparations, such as tests of synchronous compensators, in the next six months. Three of them have been installed in Lithuania in preparation for the disengagement from BRELL.
Vaiciunas warned that Russia or Belarus could take provocative actions in response to this decision by the Baltic states, but their probability was not high. According to him, companies have an action plan to respond to possible provocations.
“There may be provocations, but of course we are prepared to deal with them,” he said.
