Lithuania takes another step in strengthening the regional electricity market – a public consultation is launched on increasing the transmission capacity of the electricity interconnections between Lithuania and Poland.
Lithuania’s electricity transmission system operator Litgrid has presented a concept for expanding the cross-border electricity transmission capacity between Lithuania and Poland. The aim is to create better conditions for electricity trade and for the integration of renewable energy sources. Once the proposed measures are implemented, electricity import and export capacity through the LitPol Link interconnection will gradually increase, enhancing Lithuania’s energy security, market competitiveness, and enabling the development of additional renewable electricity generation capacity.
Following the synchronisation of the Baltic States’ electricity systems with the Continental European networks in February this year, the LitPol Link interconnection is primarily used to ensure system stability and reliability. Currently, the capacities allocated for electricity trading with Poland average around 170 MW for export and 150 MW for import.
“The synchronisation of the Baltic States with Continental Europe was a key step towards ensuring our energy independence. We are now moving into the next stage – increasing trading capacity with Poland so that we can make better use of existing networks, strengthen market integration, and create the conditions for faster renewable energy development. In the near future – that is, next year – the capacity could be doubled, and by 2027 it could be tripled, reaching as much as 1 GW, which would significantly boost the growth of renewable energy. This is an important step not only for Lithuania but for the strengthening of electricity markets across the entire region,”
Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas told The Voice of Renewables during a recent interview.
According to the proposed concept, by 2026 the export capacity via the LitPol Link interconnection could reach up to 365 MW, and the import capacity up to 200 MW. From 2027, export capacity could increase to 500 MW and import capacity to 353 MW. When the Harmony Link interconnection becomes operational in 2030, electricity trading volumes between Lithuania and Poland are expected to reach up to 1,200 MW in both import and export directions.
Expanding the capacity of the LitPol Link interconnection would increase the attractiveness of renewable energy projects and create the conditions for more efficient integration of rapidly developing wind and solar energy. Part of the surplus generation could be exported, reducing production restrictions caused by renewable generation surpluses. It is estimated that, with the maximum expansion of the interconnection capacity, up to 1 GW of additional renewable electricity generation could be integrated into the national energy system.
To implement these changes, active involvement of market participants is essential. Once the proposed measures are carried out, electricity import and export capacity through the LitPol Link interconnection will steadily increase, strengthening Lithuania’s energy security and market competitiveness.
Litgrid has launched a public consultation on the proposal for increasing the interconnection capacity between Lithuania and Poland, which will run until 1 November. Market participants are invited to submit questions and proposals that will help shape the next steps.
