Cooperation, Energy, Energy Market, Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Markets and Companies

The project envisages construction of a 330 kilovolt (kV) single-circuit power line along the Rail Baltica railroad. Recommendations from various institutions and experts were taken into consideration in choosing the best route of the power line, which goes through eleven regions in Latvia - Rujiena, Mazsalaca, Aloja, Limbazi, Seja, Garkalne, Stopini, Incukalns, Ropazi, Salaspils and Burtnieki.

The government today also approved giving the third Estonian-Latvian 330 kV interconnection the status of national importance.

The project is to be implemented by 2020.

During the project, a 330 kV high-voltage power line, 180 kilometers long, will be constructed from the Riga 2nd thermal power plant to the Latvian-Estonian border, whereas Estonia's Elering will build the section of the power line from the border to the town of Killingi-Nomme.

The total cost of the project is estimated at over EUR 100 mln, of which 65% will come from the Connecting Europe Facility.

The third Estonian-Latvian 330 kV interconnection will improve power supply security in the Baltic region, more effective power market operations in the Baltics, and improve competitiveness of the Baltic countries. The new interconnection will also achieve higher power throughput between Estonian and Latvian power networks and improve Latvian consumers' access to cheaper electric power from Scandinavian countries.

Transmission system operator Augstsprieguma Tikls will launch procurement for construction of the third Estonian-Latvian 330 kV interconnection in Latvia at the end of this year.