OREANDA-NEWS. October 29, 2009. A conference for presentation of Lithuania – Poland power link project, organized by joint venture LitPol Link was held at Alytus Center for Culture and Communication, where project progress and one of the key stages - launching of environmental impact assessment – were presented.

During the conference an overview was presented on the outlined process of the environmental impact assessment, importance of consulting with the public and state institutions, process of interconnection’s special planning and solution of the right to land issues. The representatives of ecology organizations, performing in the field of environment protection, presented new technologies, applied in similar energy projects. 

A strong focus was given to hearing opinions of local communities – the conference was attended by representatives of municipalities and local governments of territories, across which the link is planned, representatives of Alytus county administration.

“Close cooperation with local communities, in order to determine the best possible interconnection route, is of crucial importance. Bearing in mind the unique natural values of the territories, across which we plan to construct the link, we will strive to ensure proper coordination of the link route with state institutions and non-governmental organizations, working in the field of environmental protection”, - said Mr. Jaroslavas Neverovicius, Chairman of LitPol Link Management Board.

“This link is an object, covering a sizeable territory, which will cause certain conflict situations as regards protection of natural values. The impact of electricity transmission lines on birds has been acknowledged publicly and it is delightful that the line’s project managers are knowledgeable and have already began tacking the environmental issues” - pointed out Mr. Liutauras Raudonikis, a representative of Ecology Institute of Vilnius University. Mr. L. Raudonikis presented a study on possible impact of the power link on protected bird species on both sides of the state border and planned means of impact reduction and compensation.

In the design of the line we will attempt to keep it at least 250 meter away from residential houses. The electrical network protection zone will reach 30 meters. “The land, falling within this area, will not be seized from land users. They will be able to continue its use for agricultural and other purposes while observing special conditions for use of land and forest”, - said Mr. Vidmantas Baliukonis, Head of Division of Environmental Protection of Lietuvos Energija, who gave a presentation at the conference. Contracts of land servitude will be signed with owners of the land, across which the prospective line will run.

The power line between Lithuania and Poland is a project of strategic importance for both countries, aimed at increasing the security of electricity supply. The European Union (EU) has recognized the link as a priority project. For the first time in history it will interconnect the Baltic States with the common EU energy market.

While preparing the link project, LitPol is performing all requisite preparatory works of route and technology selection, environmental impact assessment, fund raising and selection of line’s operation model.