Lithuania off Russia power grid for first time, preparing to hook up to western Europe
- The Baltic EU and Nato country cut all connections to the Russian power grid for 10 hours on Saturday, in a test
- It served as preparation for planned synchronisation of nation’s grid with western Europe, to move away from system linked to Moscow from Soviet era
Lithuania has operated its electricity grid on its own and completely independently of Russia for the first time, officials confirmed.
Lithuanian grid operator Litgrid announced on Saturday evening that the test was successful.
To operate the grid in isolation, the Baltic EU and Nato country cut all connections to the Russian power grid for 10 hours on Saturday.
The trial disconnection went unnoticed by electricity consumers and served as preparation for the planned synchronisation of Lithuania’s grid with western Europe.
“Another and extremely significant step closer to the day when we will be where we belong - in the European grid!” wrote head of government Ingrid Simonyte on Facebook after the successful test.
Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys spoke of a “big step towards energy independence”.
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