The Baltic states said they would cut ties with Russia's electricity grid, which have been in place since the 1950s, and instead integrate further into the European Union as suspected sabotage of undersea cables prompts countries to step up efforts to strengthen regional energy security.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will disconnect from the combined IPS/UPS grid early Saturday (February 8) and synchronize with the EU grid on Sunday based on last-minute tests.
The plan to decouple from the Russian grid has been debated for decades but has gained momentum in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Since 2018, the three Baltic states have spent nearly 1.6 billion euros ($1.66 billion) upgrading their grids in preparation for integration into the EU grid.
Moscow must also spend 100 billion rubles ($1.03 billion) on preparatory work, including building several gas-fired power plants to supply local electricity needs in Kaliningrad.
In December, the Estlink2 submarine power line between Estonia and Finland was interrupted by the anchor of a tanker carrying Russian oil, according to Finland, leading to an increase in electricity prices. The submarine line interruption accident has intensified the momentum of the three Baltic countries to plan the transition to the EU power grid.
