Estonia’s Minister of Climate and ALDE Party Vice-President Yoko Alender (Reformierakond, EE) met with her counterparts from Latvia and Lithuania before the Baltic states’ electricity grids are disconnected from Russia and Belarus and integrated in the European network.
At the meeting on 24 January in Riga, Latvia, Alender discussed the final preparations ahead of the synchronisation with Kaspars Melnis (Latvia), Žygimantas Vaičiūnas (Lithuania) and Krzysztof Bolesta (Poland).
“This is a historic step for us, ensuring an electricity system that is secure and independent from Russia. Years of preparation guarantee a smooth transition – lights will not be flickering, devices will work, and people won’t need to adjust their routines during the weekend of February 8–9,” said Alender.
Ministers also signed a joint letter to the European Commission to ask additional funding for strengthening and protecting critical energy infrastructure against hybrid threats, and discussed other opportunities to enhance regional cooperation.
“Our shared goal is to optimise the energy system and reduce costs for consumers. This includes planning and acquiring new interconnections and dispatchable units starting from 2030. It is vital for Europe and our region to ensure sufficient, secure, and protected links between countries, such as the already planned Estlink 3, Latvia 4, and the Harmony Link between Poland and Lithuania,” added Alender.