More than three decades after gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have officially disconnected from Russia’s electricity grid, marking the start of their full integration into the European Union’s energy network.
This landmark transition, which took place on February 9, 2025, marks full energy independence of the three Baltic states as they sever their last remaining ties to Russia and Belarus.
The disconnection, which took place in phases across the three countries, was part of a broader effort to synchronize the Baltic energy systems with the European Union’s electricity grid. The symbolic gesture began in Lithuania, where a specially designed 9-meter-tall clock in the heart of Vilnius counted down to the final seconds of the Soviet-era grid’s operation. Moments later, Latvia and Estonia followed suit, completing the transition to the European system.
Lithuanian Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas expressed the significance of the moment, stating, “The Baltic energy system is finally in our hands, we are in full control.”
Baltic states connect to EU electricity
Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia successfully joined the European continental network via Poland, integrating into the EU’s internal energy market, the European Commission said in a statement.
“This allows the Baltic States to operate their own energy systems under common and transparent European rules. “The synchronisation of the Baltics not only contributes to the security of supply of the entire Union, it will also support the integration of renewable energy in the system, ultimately allowing consumers to benefit from lower energy costs,” it added.
The EU has invested over €1.23 billion in the project through its Connecting Europe Facility, covering 75% of the infrastructure costs. The synchronization of the Baltic electricity grids not only enhances energy security for the region but also plays a crucial role in the EU’s broader energy strategy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the presidents of Poland and the Baltic states, attended a ceremony in Vilnius on Sunday evening along with other dignitaries.
Ursula von der Leyen praised the successful project as a symbol of freedom and independence. “Today history is being made: the Baltic States are switching on energy independence,” she said. “The last electricity grids in Europe still linked to Russia are now fully integrated into Europe’s internal energy market, with the support of over 1 billion euros of European funding over the years.”
“The last remaining electricity lines with Russia and Belarus will now be dismantled. These chains of power lines, linking the Baltic states to hostile neighbors will be a thing of the past. This is freedom. Freedom from threats and blackmail. Congratulations on the start of this new era,” European Commission president added.
New Chapter in European Energy Security
This move also comes at a time of heightened security concerns in the Baltic Sea region, following suspected sabotage of undersea power cables and pipelines between the Baltics and neighboring countries such as Sweden and Finland. These incidents, believed to be caused by ships dragging anchors along the seabed, have prompted heightened vigilance by Baltic states and Poland.
The decision to disconnect from Russia’s energy grid is part of a broader trend across Europe to free itself from reliance on Russian natural gas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has long advocated for energy independence, applauded the move, calling it a victory for the region. “Moscow will no longer be able to use energy as a weapon against the Baltic states,” he said in a statement.
For Russia, the decoupling means the Kaliningrad exclave, situated between Lithuania and Poland, is now isolated from its main power grid. Moscow has announced plans to build additional gas-fired power plants in Kaliningrad to maintain its energy supply.
While the Baltic states have now achieved energy independence, the work is not yet complete. Future infrastructure projects, including the 700 MW Harmony Link Interconnector between Lithuania and Poland, are set to be completed by 2030. The European Commission has also emphasized the continued importance of safeguarding critical infrastructure, with Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defense and Space, noting, “Ensuring that critical infrastructure across the EU is secure is an absolute priority for the Commission.”
The success of this initiative, which was completed 10 months ahead of schedule, underscores the collaborative efforts between the EU, Poland, and the Baltic states, as well as the private sector, to ensure energy security and independence for the region.