More protection for Baltic Sea power cables: Navy and grid operator cooperate
The navy and grid operators in Lithuania have concluded an agreement. The country is currently facing a major change to its electricity grid.
The NordBalt submarine cable connects Lithuania with Sweden
(Image: NKT)
The Lithuanian electricity grid operator Litgrid and the Lithuanian navy have concluded a security agreement to better protect the NordBalt submarine cable from acts of sabotage. Sweden recently discovered anchor drag marks near the power connection between Sweden and Lithuania. Lithuania and other Baltic States are already on heightened alert following several incidents of damage to submarine cables in the Baltic Sea in recent months.
According to the two partners, the agreement stipulates that the underwater infrastructure will be monitored more closely by the navy of the NATO member state. Observed violations, unusual activities and safety measures are to be exchanged more quickly and technical and practical protective measures taken. The exact measures planned were not disclosed. The use of specialized technology and constant monitoring are also planned.
Baltic States decouple from Russia
NordBalt has a transmission capacity of 700 megawatts and connects the transfer point in KlaipÄ—da in Lithuania with Nybro in Sweden. The high-voltage direct current cable was commissioned at the end of 2015 and serves to increase the energy security of the Baltic States. It reduced dependence on Russian electricity supplies and can therefore also be considered a preferred target for possible acts of sabotage by Russia. According to reports, there was already friction with the Russian navy during the laying of the cable.
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The protection of the power connections is all the more important as it is planned to disconnect the Baltic countries from Russia's power grid on February 8, 2025, and begin a joint test of island operation. Subsequently, synchronization with the power grids of continental Europe is planned. Until now, the electricity frequency of the Baltic States has been regulated centrally in Russia. Synchronization with continental Europe is to take place via an extended, existing connection between Lithuania and Poland. In preparation, new power cables and control systems were installed, among other things.
(mki)
