EUR 509 million investment into Latvian energy independence planned

Over the next ten years, EUR 509.8 million will be invested in the Latvian electricity transmission system, of which EUR 135.8 million will be financed by European Union funds, said AS “High Voltage Network” (Augstsprieguma tīkls) on July 18.

Arnis Daugulis, the company's board member, said that fundamental changes are being made to the infrastructure and management technologies of the network, which will be fully prepared for synchronization with continental Europe by 2025.

“Disconnection of the Latvian electricity supply system from the Russian and Belarusian-controlled network is a key condition for ensuring Latvia's energy independence,” said Daugulis.

There is also a gradual modernization of the transmission network by setting up new anti-emergency automatic equipment, and improving the commercial accounting of international interconnection electricity and the transmission management system.

In order to complete the major infrastructure and information and communication technology projects of the Synchronization Project, it is planned to invest EUR 188.8 million, according to the Latvian Transport Commission's plan for the development of the Latvian transmission system for 2024-2033.

By 2033, EUR 21-30 million is planned to be invested annually in the reconstruction of 330 kV and 110 kV substations, lines and distribution points, thereby ensuring the sustainable functioning of the transmission system, the continuous electricity supply of the connected users to it to the extent required.

The Latvian transmission system development plan also looks at the dynamics of the connections of renewable energy power plants to the electricity transmission network, as well as forward development projects in the offshore Baltic Sea region, including potential interconnections between Latvia – Sweden and the Baltic – Germany, which would in future be able to secure the export capacity of electricity produced in Latvia.

Authors: Eng.LSM.lv (Latvian Public Broadcasting)
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