Following the electricity shortage on the Baltic electricity exchange on August 16, the Lithuanian power grid operator Litgrid activated additional reserves, with the Panevezys and Elektrenai power plants starting to generate electricity on August 17.
“Litgrid activated the Panevezys power plant from its cold state, as well as the additional reserve capacity in the combined cycle unit of the Lithuanian power plant in Elektrenai. This ensured electricity supply in the Baltic States,” Donatas Matelionis, head of Litgrid’s System Management Department, said.
August 16 was “the worst day in the history of electricity” when its price reached 823 euros per MWh, said Lithuanian Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys. There was also a shortage of electricity on the exchange because, according to the exchange’s algorithm, lower bids were rejected if they did not match demand.
In addition, according to Kreivys, the heat wave has limited the capacity of the interconnectors between Latvia and Estonia, reducing the amount of electricity coming to Latvia and Lithuania from Finland. (LRT/Business World Magazine)