OREANDA-NEWS. On 22 May 2009 was announced, that Lietuvos Energija AB, seeking Lithuania’s integration with West European electric energy system, by 2015 is planning to construct a missing section of Baltic ring – 300-400 kV power line Kruonis-Alytus-Elk (Poland). The length of the line – 101 km. This historically important link will significantly boost the security of energy in Lithuania, will largely strengthen the reliability of south-eastern Lithuanian electricity transmission grid and will create conditions for power exchanges between Lithuania and Poland at 400-600 MW capacity and until end of 2018 – at 1000 MW capacity.

The interconnection project of Lithuanian and Polish power systems has a special meaning while interconnecting with synchronous zone of West European power systems (UCTE) and increasing reliability of electricity supply and capacity. By using overall capacities of Baltic transmission systems we strive to create a common electricity market of the Baltic States and thus successfully integrate them with the West European electricity markets”, - said Mr. Darius Masionis, Chief Executive Officer of Lietuvos Energija AB.

The development of transmission grid in southern territory of Lithuania is divided into several stages, consistent with the concept of prospective power link Lithuania-Poland. Primarily, by 2015, i.e. until the completion of the scheduled construction of Alytus-Elk interconnection, Lietuvos Energija AB intends to invest in its substations and transmission grid, which would allow electricity exchanges between countries.  In this stage an important project will become the construction of 330 kV line Kruonis PSP-Alytus. This will be about 53 km double-circuit overhead line (distance will be specified upon completion of environmental impact assessment procedure).

The second highly important double-circuit 400 kV overhead line with back-to-back station at Alytus substation –Alytus-Elk. The line’s length on Lithuanian side will reach approx. 48 km (the distance will be revised upon completion of environmental impact assessment procedure. The back-to-back station is necessary due to the fact that Lithuanian and Polish power systems operate within different synchronous zones. 

An important part for power exchanges between both countries is also played by 330 kV transmission line Ignalina-Kruonis which will extend for about 200 km. The line’s demand will depend on total capacity of the prospective nuclear power plant and the composition of single units.

LitPol Link and Lietuvos Energija AB have signed an agreement on the preparation of a special plan and environmental impact assessment for the Lithuanian part of the investment and on preparation of feasibility study for back-to-back station in Alytus substation. The agreement stipulates that for this part of the project the public procurement procedures will be conducted by LitPol Link.