“Following the successful connection of the Baltic countries to the continental European synchronous area in February this year, the LitPol Link electricity interconnection between Lithuania and Poland is primarily used to ensure the stability and reliability of the electricity system. The stability measures currently in place ensure a limited amount of trading capacity. With European electricity transmission operators approving the permanent synchronization of the Baltic countries with the continental European grid, we see opportunities to increase the capacity used for electricity trading,” says Donatas Matelionis, Head of the System Management Department at Litgrid.

 

According to him, the involvement of market participants will be necessary to implement these changes.

 

“Greater trading capacity is primarily related to the opportunities to provide additional services in Lithuania that will ensure frequency stability, which can be offered by electricity storage facilities connected to the transmission network. More active involvement of renewable energy producers in emergency management will also be needed. Following public consultation, we have approved the concept of increasing transmission capacity. By cooperating with market participants, we can achieve an increase in electricity import and export opportunities with Poland,” says D. Matelionis.

 

Since the synchronization of the Baltic countries, the transmission capacities allocated for electricity trade with Poland average around 170 MW for exports and 150 MW for imports.

 

According to the concept, by the end of 2026, the transmission capacity for electricity exports via the LitPol Link interconnector could reach up to 365 MW, and for imports – up to 200 MW.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2026, Litgrid plans to organize an auction for isolated working reserve services, in which market participants operating storage facilities will be able to participate.

In 2027, export capacity could reach up to 500 MW, while import capacity could reach up to 353 MW. Prior to the synchronisation of the Baltic countries, export capacity typically reached 350 MW, while import capacity reached 492 MW.

 

Litgrid, together with the Polish electricity transmission system operator PSE, is currently implementing the Harmony Link land-based electricity interconnection project. According to the agreement between the operators, the second electricity interconnection between Lithuania and Poland will be commissioned in 2030. Once Harmony Link becomes operational, electricity trade volumes between Lithuania and Poland will reach up to 1,200 MW in both import and export directions.

 

On February 8 this year, the Baltic countries disconnected from the Russian-controlled IPS/UPS electricity system, and on February 9, they successfully connected their electricity systems to the synchronous area of continental Europe. Synchronisation with the continent enables the Baltic countries to manage their electricity systems in close cooperation with other continental European countries, ensuring stable and reliable frequency regulation, thus strengthening energy independence and increasing energy security throughout the region. The Baltic countries have joined the continental European network, which serves more than 400 million consumers in 26 countries.