Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, the three Baltic states, have disconnected their electricity systems from the Russian grid as part of a plan aimed at further integrating with the European Union and enhancing energy security. This move is designed to prevent Russia from using the electricity system for geopolitical "blackmail," strengthening their energy independence.
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02-10, 2025If everything goes according to plan, the countries' electricity systems will be synchronized with the European energy network via multiple lines to Finland, Sweden, and Poland by Sunday afternoon local time. All three countries are former Soviet republics and are now members of both the EU and NATO, solidifying their position within Western alliances. Lithuanian Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas stated, "We have eliminated any theoretical possibility of Russia using energy (grid) control as a weapon," emphasizing the strategic importance of this transition.
Since 2018, the Baltic states have spent nearly 1.6 billion euros ($2.6 billion USD) upgrading their grids in preparation for the transition, investing heavily in their energy infrastructure. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described it as "a victory for freedom," highlighting the geopolitical significance of the move. She added, "Russia will no longer be able to use energy as a tool for blackmail," underscoring the diminished leverage Russia now has over these nations. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen stated, "This is indeed a historic day," marking a significant milestone in European energy policy.
“I prefer this kind of brightness when there is no Russian electron involved,” Jørgensen told reporters in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, emphasizing the symbolic and practical implications of the change. He added, "It is important to stress that this is about security… No European country should be dependent on Russia for anything," reinforcing the broader strategic goal of reducing reliance on Russian resources. Prior to the disconnection, operators in all three countries successfully conducted frequency management tests, ensuring a smooth transition. Latvian Energy Minister Kaspars Melnis stated, "The system is stable, the process went smoothly, and no one noticed that anything changed," highlighting the seamless execution of the operation.
Lithuanian Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas said that contingency plans have been developed, and some heavy energy users, such as factories, could be temporarily disconnected from the grid if there are electricity shortages, ensuring grid stability. "We have achieved our long-term goal, and now we are in control," Vaičiūnas said at a press conference, emphasizing the newfound autonomy. In Latvia, immediately after the disconnection, workers used cranes to reach high-voltage wires in Viļaka, 100 meters from the Russian border, and cut them. Staff distributed the severed wires as souvenirs to cheering onlookers, celebrating their energy independence. "We will never use it again, we are moving forward," Latvian Energy Minister Kaspars Melnis told Reuters in Viļaka, marking a definitive end to their reliance on the Russian grid.
Authorities remained vigilant on Saturday for possible sabotage or other risks associated with the transition from the Russian grid, prioritizing security measures. Latvian grid operator AST said that no interruptions had been recorded so far, indicating no provocations, which was a positive sign. "They also disconnected the power from the same line from their side, and the biggest surprise today is that there were no surprises," said AST CEO Rolands Irklis, noting the cooperative approach. Lithuanian state grid operator Litgrid also said that Russia provided full cooperation during the disconnection process, contributing to a smooth transition. "When you are in the same (electricity) system, you cannot harm the other without harming yourself," noted Rokas Masiulis, head of Litgrid, explaining the mutual interest in a stable disconnection.
For Russia, the decoupling means that its Kaliningrad exclave, located between Lithuania, Poland, and the Baltic Sea, is disconnected from the main Russian electricity grid, leaving it to rely on its own resources to maintain its electricity system, potentially creating challenges for the region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed all concerns, downplaying any potential negative impacts. "We have taken all measures to ensure the uninterrupted and reliable operation of our unified energy system," he said when asked about the disconnection last week, assuring the stability of Russia's energy infrastructure.
Plans for the Baltic states to decouple their grids from their former Soviet imperial master have been discussed for decades and were finally signed in 2018, representing a long-term strategic goal. For the three countries, which regained their independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, the grid was the last remaining link to Russia, symbolizing a break from the past. All three countries joined the EU and NATO in 2004, further solidifying their Western alignment. After Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the three staunch Kyiv supporters stopped buying electricity from Russia but had been relying on the Russian grid to control frequency and stabilize the network to avoid blackouts, highlighting the previous reliance on Russian infrastructure.
“By ending the Baltic states’ energy dependence on Russia, we are depriving the aggressor of the option of using energy as a weapon against us,” said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, emphasizing the strategic implications of energy independence. Although no provocations have occurred so far, countries in the region are stepping up the security of their grids, remaining vigilant. In Estonia, police and volunteer defense forces will be responsible for the security of critical electricity infrastructure until the end of next week, due to perceived risks of sabotage. Lithuania is also protecting infrastructure, sending armed forces to the area bordering Poland to secure energy connections, demonstrating a proactive approach to security. A military truck was seen at the Rēzekne substation near the Latvia-Russia border, with armed officers patrolling nearby, underscoring the heightened security measures.
The Baltic region is on high alert following disruptions to power cables, telecommunications lines, and gas pipelines, increasing concerns about potential threats to critical infrastructure. All of these are believed to have been caused by ships dragging anchors on the seabed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, raising suspicions of deliberate actions. Russia has denied involvement, refuting any accusations. The NATO alliance fears that Russia is targeting cables as part of a broader so-called “hybrid war” aimed at undermining European countries that are helping Ukraine, escalating tensions in the region. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte did not explicitly accuse Russia, saying that “hybrid means sabotage,” highlighting the ambiguous nature of the threats. He added, “Hybrid means cyberattacks. Hybrid sometimes even means assassination attacks, attempts, and in this case, it means attacks on our critical underwater infrastructure," while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that a series of incidents in the Baltic Sea must be seen as part of a hybrid strategy by Russia to threaten European countries, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
