The three Baltic countries on Saturday reduced ties with the Russian power grid to join the European Union network.
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania – The European Union and the former Soviet republics of NATO all wanted to block Russia’s ability to geopolitical threats through the power system.
“Russia has used energy (grid) control as a weapon to remove the theoretical possibilities of Russia,” Lithuanian Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas told AFP on Saturday.
EU foreign policy director Kaja Karas – former Estonian Prime Minister – on Friday welcomed Grid Switch as a “win over freedom and European unity.”
Vaiciunas said the Baltic countries completed the cutting process on Saturday at 9:09 local time (0709 GMT).
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time,” he told reporters after talking to his Estonian and Latvian counterparts.
“The Baltic energy systems are ultimately in our own hands. We are in control,” he added a “historic” moment.
He said the Baltics operates in what is called “isolated mode” before it integrates with the European grid on Sunday.
Official celebrations were planned throughout the Baltics, with authorities on alert against potential cyberattacks linked to the Grid Switch.
Latvia physically cuts its power lines to Russia later on Saturday, with European Commission Chairman Ursula von der Leyen scheduled to attend a ceremony with Vilnius’ Baltic leader on Sunday.
For a long time, Baltics has been ready to integrate with the European grid, but faces technical and financial challenges.
The switch has made it seem more urgent after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, making it seem possible to target the Baltic countries.
They stopped purchasing Russian gas and electricity after the invasion, but their power grid remained connected to controlled Russia and Belarus from Moscow.
This made them rely on Moscow for stable power flows. This is important for factories and facilities that require reliable power sources.
“Possibility of provocation”
According to Lithuania’s state-run grid operator Litgrid, the Baltic countries operate in “separate mode” for about 24 hours to test frequency or power levels.
“We need to do some testing to ensure Europe that we are a stable energy system,” Litgrid Head Rokas Masiulis said last month.
“We turn the power station on and off, observe how the frequency fluctuates and assess its ability to control it.”
The province will then be integrated into the European power grid through Poland.
Authorities have warned of potential risks associated with change.
“There are a variety of short-term risks possible, including movement manipulation on critical infrastructure, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns,” Lithuania’s state Department of Security told AFP.
Polish power grid operator PSE said it would use helicopters and drones to patrol its connections with Lithuania.
Latvian President Edgars Linkevix told LTV1 that the country cannot “exclude the possibility of provocation.”
In Estonia, police and volunteer defense forces will humanize important electrical infrastructure until next weekend due to the risk of sabotage.
In recent months, several submarine communications and power cables have been cut off in the Baltic Sea. Some experts and politicians have argued that Moscow has denied that Russia is accusing him of fighting a hybrid war.
“People don’t feel that.”
A total of $1.7 billion (mainly EU funds) have been invested in simultaneous projects between the Baltic and Poland.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda is confident that the switch will go smoothly and told reporters “people don’t feel it either because of bills or inconvenient.”
Estonia’s Climate Ministry urged everyone to take over as usual, “the more regular and predictable the action… the easier it is to manage the power grid.”
However, some consumers were worried about Estonia’s power outages and home improvement stores.
After decoupling of the Baltic Sea, the energy system of the Russian enclave in Kaliningrad loses grid connections to the Russian mainland.
Kaliningrad has been increasing its power generation capacity for many years, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has dismissed all concerns.
Asked about the cutoff last week, he said, “We have taken all steps to ensure the unified energy system is unbroken and reliable operation.”
