Baltic States Cut Energy Ties with Russia, Join EU Power Grid

The Baltic nations of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia have officially disconnected from the Soviet-era BRELL energy network, which had linked their electricity systems with Russia and Belarus for decades.

The transition took place on Saturday morning when grid operators in the three nations announced their disconnection from BRELL, marking a significant step in reducing reliance on Moscow for energy. The move is seen as a strategic response to growing concerns over Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and its history of using energy as a geopolitical tool.

Although the Baltic states have not imported electricity from Russia or Belarus since May 2022, the disconnection is considered a symbolic and strategic milestone. 

“We are now removing Russia’s ability to use the electricity system as a tool of geopolitical blackmail,” stated Lithuanian Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas.

The three countries operated in an "isolated mode" for approximately 24 hours before synchronizing with the European power grid through Poland on Sunday. According to Rokas Masiulis, head of Lithuania’s state-run grid operator Litgrid, the transition period included rigorous tests to ensure the region's energy stability.

“We need to carry out some tests to assure Europe that we are a stable energy system,” Masiulis explained.

The Baltic nations have been working for years to integrate with the Continental Europe synchronous grid, the second-largest power network in the world after China’s. This shift is the final step in a long-standing plan to break free from Russian energy influence. The urgency of this transition intensified following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Baltic states were part of the Soviet Union and remained connected to its energy system even after gaining independence. The BRELL network had linked their grids with Russia, Belarus, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

As a result of the disconnection, Russia’s Kaliningrad region, which borders Lithuania and Poland, had to transition to independent power operation. Russia’s Energy Ministry assured that the region was fully prepared, citing investments in new power plants and infrastructure upgrades.

“Today, the total capacity of Kaliningrad’s power plants amounts to 1.88 GW, which is twice the region’s peak power consumption, providing a reliable power supply under any circumstances,” the ministry stated in an official Telegram post.

Between 2016 and 2020, four new power plants were built in Kaliningrad to ensure its energy self-sufficiency. Russia has also conducted annual tests to confirm the system’s readiness for independent operation.

The official decision to leave the BRELL network was made by the Baltic states in 2017, with the aim of securing energy independence. Now, with the long-planned disconnection complete, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia are fully integrated into the European power grid.

Latvian Minister of Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis highlighted the benefits of the transition, stating that the move will strengthen the region’s energy security, allow for greater renewable energy integration, and ultimately lead to lower electricity prices for consumers.