Baltic States – CIS, Belarus, Energy Market, Nuclear power plant

The methodology, agreed after lengthy negotiations, includes the requirement for electricity imported to the Baltic market "to have a proof of origin that it has originated from non-Belarusian producers," Lithuania's transmission system operator Litgrid said in a press release on Friday.

Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas said the methodology is now fully in line with Lithuania's "anti-Astravyets law". 

"The three Baltic transmission system operators agreed in principle today to supplement the previous methodology with a provision that (...) will bar electricity from getting into the Baltic countries unless it has proof that it does not originate in Belarus," he told.   

The Baltic countries will continue discussions on other technical elements to ensure the boycott of the Astravyets plant as Belarus prepares to start testing its first unit on November 7.

The methodology has been put up for public consultation and will later be submitted to national regulators.  

In late August, Latvia said that it would halt electricity trade with Belarus if the Astravyets plant it put into operation, a move hailed in Vilnius as progress in the boycott talks and an example of energy solidarity.

Lithuania is the most active critic of the Astravyets plant, located some 50 kilometers from its capital, saying that it fails to meet international safety standards, an allegation that Minsk denies.