Baltic states synchronization with CESA
The three Baltic states undertook the synchronization of their electric power transmission infrastructure with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area, a project known as Baltic Synchro. Managed by ENTSO-E, this initiative aimed to disconnect from the IPS/UPS system, previously governed by the 2001 BRELL Agreement with Belarus and Russia. The project was successfully completed on 9 February 2025.
History
The electricity systems of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were technologically integrated into the IPS/UPS grid in the early 1960s, during the Soviet occupation of the Baltic States. In 2001, the BRELL Agreement was signed between Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the technical management of the synchronization of their power grids as part of the IPS/UPS power distribution system. Nevertheless, IPS/UPS is largely managed centrally from Moscow.In 2007, the three Baltic states applied to join ENTSO-E and began technical feasibility studies on joining the European synchronous power network. The synchronization project allows the three Baltic states to regain full control of their electricity networks and strengthen their energy security. According to the European Commission, the synchronization of Baltic states is a political and financial priority and therefore it has allocated more than €1.2 billion towards the funding of the project. Some of the facilities include new powerlines, batteries, and nine synchronous condensers.
Chronology
In 2007, the prime ministers of the three Baltic states confirmed their strategic objective to become part of the continental European network. In September 2018, an official application to expand the synchronous zone was submitted to ENTSO-E. On 27 May 2019, an agreement was signed for the connection of the Baltic states to the Continental Europe synchronous electric power network operation zone.Proposals to speed up the process
The need for synchronization became more urgent after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė announced that Lithuania was seeking to speed up the process of transition and leave the IPS/UPS transmission system before 2025 with the expected finalized plan made public by the end of 2023.On 22 April 2023, a stress test was scheduled in the Baltic states to test the infrastructure and operate for a day outside the IPS/UPS grid. Latvia and Estonia withdrew from testing, while Lithuania successfully conducted the test and concluded that the country was ready to join the synchronous grid of Continental Europe in 2024. Estonia and Latvia proposed the synchronization with the European grid be delayed to 2025 due to infrastructure not being ready. President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda continued to pressure both Estonia and Latvia to synchronize with continental Europe in 2024, without waiting until 2025. Eventually, the countries agreed to synchronize no later than February 2025.