The work to disconnect Baltic power grids from the Russia-controlled BRELL network is going as planned, Latvian Minister of Energy and Climate Kaspars Melnis has said in an interview to LTV programme Rita panorama.
“Everything is going according to the schedule and there are no signs of any problems or delays,” said the minister.
However, when asked if Latvia expected any possible provocations from Russia, including the possibility of Baltic States being disconnected from BRELL sooner than 2025, Melnis said this possibility was considered as well.
“This is reality. We fully expect such a thing to happen,” said the minister.
He also mentioned that Baltic States were prepared for this scenario.
“We are prepared, but we hope it won’t come to it,” said the minister, adding that if Russia did go through with this, there would be some inconveniences.
Nevertheless, there would still be electricity.
Chairman of Augstsprieguma tikls JSC (AST) Rolands Irklis has previously told LETA that the Baltic power grid is basically prepared to exit from Russia’s controlled BRELL network at any moment.
He said he considered Russia’s possible provocations in regard to the disconnection from BRELL network before February 2025 as realistic.
“We are aware there could be something unexpected from our neighbouring countries. There could be emergency de-synchronisations from BRELL, which could force us to speed up our synchronisation with the EU grid. We are aware such a possibility exists, and we are prepared for it,” said Irklis.
AST board chairman said that in the event of an emergency de-synchronisation, it would be necessary to put infrastructure available in the EU to use and balance out the grid.
As for availability of electricity in the event Russia disconnects Latvia from BRELL unexpectedly, Irklis said power generation output was sufficient, especially in Latvia, which had both hydroelectric dams and thermal power plants. On top of that, Baltic States have connection with Finland, Sweden and Poland.
“So from the perspective of power output, we are covered. What we need to do is use all available infrastructure to balance out the grid and ensure network stability,” said Irklis.
At the same time, he said the situation could impact electricity costs, not security of supplies.
Baltic power grid operators plan to synchronise their countries’ grids with Europe and disconnect from BRELL in 2025. (ERR)