EU solidarity and regional cooperation: Integration of the Baltics into the European electricity grid

On Monday 18 December, the Energy Union Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete will meet Energy Ministers from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland in the margins of the Energy Council. The aim of the meeting is to advance on the synchronisation of the Baltic States' electricity grid with continental Europe, a political priority for the Juncker Commission. The ministerial meeting forms part of the Commission's continued efforts to provide political support to the Baltic States to achieve independence in terms of electricity supply security and operation of their electricity grids.

Ahead of the meeting, Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič said:

The synchronisation of the Baltic States with continental EU networks constitutes one of the most critical projects in our energy sector, one which reflects the core principles of our Energy Union strategy. By uniting markets and ending energy isolation, we are set to strengthen the energy security of the region. The timing of a political decision is of the essence and therefore, we are highly committed to the issue by giving all necessary support".

Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete added:

Achieving the electricity synchronisation of the Baltics will be a symbol of true European solidarity. The Commission will support this process and is ready to facilitate discussions between Member States. And we are backing the synchronisation project through its recent inclusion in the 3rd Projects of common interest list, which will give it potential access to EU financing. This could be an important milestone in helping to complete the EU-wide energy market and improve security of supply in the Baltic region.

For historical reasons, the Baltic States' electricity grid is still operated in a synchronous mode with the Russian and Belarusian systems. The synchronisation will bring closer a fully functioning and connected internal energy market and increase energy security of the Baltic States. The Commission will provide a read-out of the meeting. Find more information about the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) on the Commission's website. All about the Energy Union online.