The 9th of February 2025 will be remembered as a historic milestone in Europe’s energy landscape. The three Baltic republics have successfully synchronised their power grids with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area (CESA), marking the definitive end of their reliance on Russia’s electricity network. This achievement is the culmination of more than 15 years of planning and investment, with significant financial and technical backing from the European Commission.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, highlighted the significance of this breakthrough: “Today, history is being made: the Baltic States are switching on energy independence. The last electricity grids in Europe still linked to Russia are now fully integrated into Europe’s internal energy market, with the support of over €1 billion in European funding over the years. The last remaining power lines with Russia and Belarus will now be dismantled. These chains of power lines, linking the Baltic states to hostile neighbours, will be a thing of the past. This is freedom. Freedom from threats and blackmail. Congratulations on the start of this new era.”

Enhancing Regional Energy Security

Until now, the Baltic States operated within the Russian and Belarusian energy systems, where electricity frequency was centrally controlled from Moscow. This structure left the region vulnerable to supply disruptions and geopolitical pressure.

By synchronising with Europe’s Continental Synchronous Area, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have gained full control over their electricity networks, significantly increasing their energy security and system resilience.

The European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, emphasised the importance of this transition: “The Baltic States now have full control of their electricity systems. This grid synchronisation marks a key milestone for this region and will significantly contribute to strengthening security. Ensuring that critical infrastructure across the EU is secure is an absolute priority for the Commission, and we will continue to work closely with our Member States to achieve a high level of protection.”

The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) also celebrated this success: “This achievement reinforces regional energy security and European integration. It is the result of years of collaboration between Baltic transmission system operators and their European partners.”

Investment in Energy Transition and Infrastructure

The disconnection from Russian grids not only fortifies energy security but also paves the way for enhanced integration of renewable energy sources. By ensuring a more stable electricity supply free from external political interference, the Baltic States are set to see increased investments in wind and solar energy projects.

The synchronisation project has received unprecedented financial support from the EU, including over €1.23 billion from the Connecting Europe Facility, covering 75% of total investment costs. Additional funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility has also been allocated to reinforce electricity infrastructure in Latvia and Lithuania.

The European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, underscored the significance of this milestone: “Today is truly a historic day. The synchronisation of the electricity networks of the Baltic States with those of Continental Europe is a remarkable achievement that strengthens the security of supply of the entire Union. It is a testament to what we can achieve together when we invest collectively in our common security and prosperity. This project is a key example of why we must continue advancing towards a greener, more efficient, and more integrated Energy Union.”

Poland’s Crucial Role and Future Developments

The integration of the Baltic electricity grid into Europe’s system was made possible through Poland, which played a pivotal role in the transition. The Harmony Link interconnector, a 700 MW cable between Lithuania and Poland, will further strengthen the synchronisation and is expected to be operational by 2030.

The project was coordinated by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) in collaboration with Baltic transmission system operators and the European Commission.

Reactions from the Energy Sector

The Energy Regulators Regional Association (ERRA) welcomed this milestone, stating: “The primary objective of the synchronisation was to strengthen the Baltic electricity system and ensure energy independence and security of supply.”

Meanwhile, Litgrid, Lithuania’s electricity transmission system operator, highlighted that joining the European grid enables independent, stable, and reliable frequency control for the Baltic States. It also eliminates the risks associated with Russia’s system-wide frequency management, which previously compromised their energy security.

In this context, the last remaining electricity connections to Russia and Belarus have now been permanently shut down, marking a new era of energy sovereignty for the Baltic region.

Challenges and Benefits of the Baltic Energy Independence

While synchronisation with Europe’s electricity grid represents a milestone in the Baltic States’ energy sovereignty, it also brings challenges in terms of security, stability, and cybersecurity. The region’s energy infrastructure must be reinforced to ensure a reliable supply and prevent any attempts at sabotage or disinformation by Russia.

For years, the Baltic States have progressively reduced their dependence on the Russian-controlled BRELL system. However, their infrastructure remains vulnerable to potential physical and cyber-attacks, as demonstrated by recent incidents, including the damage to the Estlink 2 interconnector in December 2024.

Furthermore, after synchronisation, the Baltic States will no longer be able to rely on Russian grid balancing services, meaning they must enhance their own storage capacities and flexible generation to ensure grid stability. This will require investments in new infrastructure, including the expansion of key interconnectors such as Harmony Link, scheduled for completion in 2030.

From a geopolitical perspective, the transition has also sparked disinformation campaigns by Russia, making false claims about electricity price hikes or supply instability. However, experts confirm that the region has already successfully operated without Russian energy imports, and that integration with the European grid will lower costs in the long term and ensure a more stable supply.

Despite these challenges, the energy independence of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania represents a major strategic victory, reinforcing the security of electricity supply in the region and strengthening their integration into the EU energy market. To ensure the project’s success, cooperation with Poland, Finland, and Sweden will be crucial, as well as the implementation of additional cybersecurity measures and critical infrastructure protection.

A New Energy Future for the Baltic States

The 9th of February 2025 has officially been declared ‘Baltic Energy Independence Day’. This transition not only guarantees energy sovereignty but also enhances security and reliability for over 400 million European consumers.

Baltic System Control Centres have confirmed that the integration into the European grid was executed smoothly and with complete stability. Currently, technical tests are being carried out to evaluate the system’s response to voltage fluctuations, without affecting consumer electricity supply.

This landmark positions the Baltic States as a model for energy integration within the EU, reducing reliance on external sources and furthering Europe’s vision of an interconnected, secure, and sustainable energy market.