Lithuania disconnects from Russian power grid for the first time

The operator of the Lithuanian electricity transmission system, Litgrid, successfully tested the operation of the country's electricity system in isolated mode on Saturday, the company announced on its website.

During the test, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Lithuania's electricity system was disconnected from the Russian-controlled IPS/UPS system, and for the first time in recent history, it operated independently.

Consumers received electricity from the country's power plants, as well as from Poland and Sweden, but the balance and frequency of the system were maintained only by Litgrid dispatchers.

"After the end of the test, the Lithuanian electricity system is currently operating smoothly in the IPS/UPS system, together with other Baltic countries," the company said in a press release.

Litgrid indicates that this testing is one of the most important steps in preparation for the synchronization of the Lithuanian energy system with the European one.

The Lithuanian Minister of Energy Dainius Kreivys stated that during the testing, sufficient production of local electricity was ensured, and for some time the electricity produced in Lithuania was even exported.

"Today's tests are an important step towards energy independence," the Minister of Energy wrote on Facebook.

According to him, the successful test of isolated work became a serious argument for accelerating the synchronization of the Baltic countries with the grids of continental Europe.

Before synchronizing with the European network, all the Baltic countries have to conduct another joint test of isolated operation, during which Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia will form one "island".

The three states plan to join the European energy system no later than 2025.

Ukraine disconnected its energy system from the Russian one on February 24, 2022.

The transition to isolated mode occurred before the start of the full-scale Russian military invasion and was intended as an experiment, but three weeks later Ukraine joined the ENTSO-E power system. This paved the way for electricity trade with the European Union.