Latvian PM expects Baltics' power grid synchronization to be completed in 2025

VILNIUS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Synchronization of the power grids of the Baltic States with the continental Europe must be completed in 2025 as it was agreed earlier, Latvia's Prime Minister Arturs Krisjanis Karins said Friday during his visit to Lithuania.

"We all together, including Estonia, stick to the opinion that synchronization must be completed and will be completed in 2025," Karins told the reporters after meeting with his Lithuanian counterpart Saulius Skvernelis.

By the scheduled deadline, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian power grid operators have to carry out necessary test proving that the Baltic power system can operate in an isolated mode, the Latvian prime minister added.

"Close Lithuanian-Latvian bilateral relations have a crucial role in ensuring the regional energy security, and joint energy and transport infrastructure projects", Lithuania's head of government Skvernelis was quoted as saying after the meeting in a statement released by his office.

According to the Lithuanian prime minister, Rail Baltica and synchronization of the Baltic electricity grid remain a common priority.

In June 2018, the Baltic countries, Poland and the European Commission signed an agreement stating that the deadline for the completion of the synchronization of the Baltic power grid with the continental European network is 2025.

It was decided that the project will be carried out through the existing double-circuit alternating current line between Poland and Lithuania (LitPol Link) complemented by the construction of a new offshore high voltage direct current link between Poland and Lithuania.

The total estimated cost of the project is estimated at around 1.4 billion euros. The EU is expected to cover 75 percent of the cost.