Lithuania to dismantle power lines with Russia, Belarus in 2025

LONDON

Lithuania plans to dismantle the power transmission lines with Russia and Belarus next year as part of the synchronization of the Baltic energy systems with Western Europe, the Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator Litgrid said on Friday.

“Some of the power transmission lines with third countries are currently operational. All the lines will be disconnected on February 8, 2025, when the BRELL agreement (a joint electricity system between Russia, Belarus, and the Baltic states) expires. Dismantling work will start immediately afterwards,” Litgrid was quoted as saying by the local national broadcaster LRT.

Lithuanian government on Wednesday removed seven 330-kilovolt links with Russia and Belarus from the list of assets and facilities important for national security, the broadcaster said.

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia will disconnect from the Russian IPS/UPS system on Feb. 8, 2025, carrying out a single joint isolated operation test, after which they will not return to the old system, LRT said.

According to the Lithuanian company, the Baltic networks are expected to be synchronized with continental European networks a day after on Feb. 9.

Back in July, the Baltic electricity transmission system operators notified Russia and Belarus about the non-extension of the joint BRELL contract and their withdrawal from it as of February 2025.