This Thursday, the 9th of January, the first synchronous compensator station in Latvia was connected to the power transmission network, as reported by JSC “Augstsprieguma tīkls” (AST).
The synchronisation of the Baltic power grid with continental Europe is the final Baltic energy independence project, said AST Chairman Rolands Irklis at the opening event in Grobiņa.
This project will help completely cut ties with Russian and Belarusian power grids. Instead Baltic States will link up with European power grids.
Irklis stressed that independence is not something to be taken for granted. This includes national independence, public independence and energy independence.
At the same time, we have always gone hand in hand with our Baltic neighbours in Latvia’s independence and energy independence, as well as the Baltic energy independence has been strengthened over the past 20 years, said Irklis.
The synchronous compensator connected on Thursday will maintain a stable frequency and rhythm in the system, as well as it will not be the only one – there will be a total of nine synchronous compensators in the Baltics.
Speaking about the location of the first synchronous compensator in Grobiņa, Irklis said that such a choice is not by chance – Grobiņa is close to Liepaja, where the energy sector has always developed.
Also, one of the tasks of synchronous compensators is to stabilize the frequency, taking into account the variable renewable generation – “this is an important factor not only from the point of view of synchronization, but also thinking about generation in the future,” Irklis emphasised.
Minister of Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis (ZZS) expressed hope that citizens would not feel synchronized with continental Europe, which is expected in as little as 29 days.
Melnis stressed that this is one of the few projects that is done on time, also within financial boundaries, despite inflation and supply barriers.
“This confirms we can implement large projects,” said Melnis, adding that at the moment, no one has any doubt that the decision taken in 2009 to connect to the European network was right and necessary.
In his address, US Ambassador to Latvia Christopher Robinson said that the upcoming synchronization with continental Europe and the installation of a synchronous compensator is an important event not only for the Latvian energy industry, but also for all residents of Latvia.
The ambassador emphasised that the first electric tram in the Baltics was opened in Liepaja, in 1960 the first inter-system power transmission line with Estonia was put into operation, as well as the main part of the Kurzeme Ring state infrastructure project was launched in Grobiņa in 2014.
“Despite previous accomplishments, one link to the past still remains,” said Robinson.
Synchronisation with the mainland European electricity grid is an important step that is closely related to Latvia’s independence – not only energy, but also economic independence and national security, Robinson noted, stressing that synchronisation with the continental European power grid will benefit residents of Latvia for decades.
“For the people of Latvia, this is an important turning point, and we know that Moscow will not hesitate to use any opportunity to try to destabilize the NATO ally,” said Robinson.
He emphasised that this is why network synchronization with allies is so important for the national security of Latvia.
Chairman of Liepāja City Council Gunārs Ansiņš stressed the synchronisation symbolises the unity of Baltic States.
He said that the installation and synchronization of the synchronous compensator is also an important project for Liepāja, as it will create a basis for safety, including in future investment plans.
“Synchronisation will increase the development potential of our cities and counties,” said Ansiņš.
Joakim Lagerholm, Vice-President of “Siemens Energy” in Nordic and Baltic countries, said that the synchronous compensator is an important piece of the puzzle to disconnect from the Russian-controlled BRELL network and be able to synchronise with the European network.
“This will allow additional renewable energies in Latvia to be connected to the grid, and it will also allow us to ensure a greener and healthier future for all of us,” he said.
As previously reported, in order to ensure the inertia necessary to maintain a stable frequency in the power system, as well as relay protection of short-circuit capacities for operation and safe connection of solar, wind power plants, synchronous compensators are being installed in Latvia, as well as in Lithuania and Estonia – three in each country.
The construction of synchronous compensation stations is part of the reinforcement of the transmission system infrastructure, which is necessary for the implementation of the Baltic energy independence project – synchronisation with continental Europe.
The synchronous compensator station in Grobiņa is the first to be connected to the Latvian electricity transmission network. By the end of the year, stations in Ventspils and Liksna will also be connected to the network.
The reactive power of each synchronous compensator station will be 100 jet megavoltamperes (MVAr) and will provide the necessary inertia, accumulating 2090 megavoltamperes (MVAsec).
The total investment in the installation of synchronous compensators is EUR 114 million, of which 75% is co-financed by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
Since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, risks to the Baltic energy system have increased. In order to prevent them, the disconnection of the Baltic energy system from the combined energy system of Russia or the so-called BRELL circle and joining the European system will take place almost a year earlier than originally planned, namely this year from the 7th of February to the 9th of February.