Lithuania started dismantling the supports of the first of six power lines linking it to Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave after the Baltic States synchronised their grids with the continental European system in early February.
On February 24, workers began removing the supports of the Kruonis Pumped Storage Plant (PSP)-Sovetsk power line.
The dismantling of the first supports is part of the ongoing construction of the new Kruonis PSP-Bitenai power line, with public tenders to be launched for the removal of other lines.
After the Baltic States decoupled from the Russian power system on February 8 and synchronised with the European grid on February 9, power lines to Russia and Belarus were no longer needed. Their wires were cut the next day.
According to Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas, some 900 hectares of land will be freed up in Lithuania after the country dismantles unnecessary lines that used to connect Lithuania with Russia and Belarus.
“This work has a symbolic meaning, but we also have practical issues. The dismantling of the lines and the removal of the pylons will also free up a significant amount of land, around 900 hectares. Farmers will be able to use this land without restrictions, and other things will be able to take place,” he told reporters.
In his words, Lithuania plans to dismantle all its power lines leading to Russia and Belarus over the course of 18 months as about 544 pylons and about 230 kilometres of wires will have to be removed.
Part of the dismantled infrastructure that is in good condition, such as isolators, will be handed over to Ukraine, the minister has added.
According to Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Litgrid, Lithuania’s state-owned power transmission system operator, Ukrainian energy companies are regularly offered equipment Lithuania no longer needs.
The final cost of dismantling the lines with Russia and Belarus is not yet known,” Masiulis said, but it would not be significant, as “demolition is not construction”.
Of the 11 power lines that connected Lithuania to Belarus in recent years, only one remained operational before the disconnection, and three of the six lines to Kaliningrad were still in use.
All power lines connecting Lithuania with Russia and Belarus are expected to be dismantled until the end of 2026. (LRT)