Energy, Estonia, Good for Business, Investments, Latvia

Elering CEO Taavi Veskimagi described the reconstruction of the Tartu-Valmiera line as the first of several large-scale procurements directly linked to the synchronization of the Baltic power supply system with that of Continental Europe that reaches the stage of the conclusion of a contract.

Next in line are the Balti-Tartu and Viru-Tsirguliina lines, as well as three synchronous compensators, the procurements concerning which are underway, Elering said in a press release.

"Considering the risks of an unplanned emergency desynchronization arising from the geopolitical situation, successful conduct of the procurements related to the synchronization and strengthening of the network in the north-south direction are more important than ever before,"  Veskimagi said.

Under current plans, construction work in the reconstruction of the Tartu-Valmiera line will start in November 2021 and continue until February 2023. The length of the power line to be reconstructed is 84.3 kilometers and the number of masts in said section of the power line is approximately 250. The locations of the masts will not change. 

The new masts of the Tartu-Valmiera line will also carry cables of the 110 kilovolt line in a section spanning 50 kilometers. That will enable to dismantle 50 kilometers of existing 110 kilovolt power lines and free up the land currently taken up by them. 

Elering finances the reconstruction of the Tartu-Valmiera line with EU funds and proceeds from the auction of transmission capacities. The reconstruction of the high-voltage line will not raise the transmission service tariffs for Estonian electricity consumers.

Elering and the TSOs of Latvia and Lithuania are planning to conclude preparations for the synchronization of the Baltic power supply system with that of Continental Europe by the end of  2025. The synchronization project will cost Estonia approximately 300 million euros, most of which is expected to be covered by EU funding. 

The EU already has decided on an allocation of 140 million euros to Elering, and a decision on an additional allocation of money related to investments in the synchronization project is expected shortly.