Lithuania, Poland to “shortly” sign deal on network synchronization, Latvia procrastinates (Updated)

Updates after 1st paragraph.

Skvernelis, currently on a visit in Warsaw, said he had agreed with Poland’s Prime Minister Beata Szydlo “to shortly sign the political agreement” on the project, which would aim to boost energy independence from Russia.

In his words, the Latvian and Estonian calls to proceed with the synchronization by way of building another electricity link are unacceptable, as they could procrastinate the process and leave the Baltic states dependent on the Moscow-controlled electricity ring.

“Poland’s political approval to the synchronization of the Baltic electricity system with continental Europe via Poland is very important. We cannot postpone the project – it is a joint issue of national and energy security of the Baltic states,” Skvernelis said at a joint news conference with his Polish counterpart in Warsaw on Tuesday.

Latvia‘s Prime Minister Maris Kučinskis continues holding the stance that a second power link is needed for the synchronization.

“We support the synchronization by two lines, as an analysis by a research center suggests it would be the best solution cost-wise,” said Kučinskis.

Estonia‘s prime minister was also expected to attend the meeting, however, pulled out in the last minute. Estonia calls for a second power link between Lithuania and Poland, listing synchronization with the Nordic states as an alternative.

Skvernelis does not rule out that Lithuania could synchronize via Poland alone, if Latvia and Estonia do not support the solution.

The Baltic states still operate in sync with the post-Soviet energy system in the so-called BRELL ring and are dependent on the control center in Moscow and the Russian electricity network. To reduce the dependence on Moscow, the Baltic nations plan to connect with the European electricity system in a project to be completed by 2025.