The Baltic states started disconnecting from the Russian electrical grid on Saturday at 6:00, announced the Lithuanian public grid operator Litgrid.
This move will definitively cut their energy ties with Moscow, which date back to the Soviet era. The initiative, started several years ago, has gained momentum since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In practice, Latvia physically severed an electrical cable connecting it to Russia.
On Saturday, the Baltic states will operate in “island mode” for the rest of the day, meaning they will be completely disconnected from a larger power grid. They will then integrate into the European electrical grid via Poland. Lithuanian and Polish officials will initiate this synchronisation process around midday on Sunday.
The Baltic states decided to synchronise their electrical networks with the continental European system in 2018. This decision followed EU funding aimed at ending their energy dependence on Russia.
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania were part of the Soviet Union until 1991. Today, these three countries are among the strongest allies of Ukraine. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, is expected in Vilnius on Sunday for a ceremony with Baltic leaders.
