The Nordbalt power interconnection between Lithuania and Sweden has been experiencing technical problems since its launch in early 2016. The frequent failures have been attributed to onshore cable joints, which are planned to be replaced next year. The exact date for the replacement has not been announced, but Litgrid's CEO, Daivis Virbickas, assured stakeholders that the organization is following its initial plan. The replaced joints must be tested to ensure they will function appropriately.
Litgrid, Lithuania's electricity transmission system operator, is responsible for guaranteeing secure, reliable, and efficient power supply in Lithuania. Litgrid's strategy involves developing the country's transmission infrastructure to connect it to neighboring countries and create a unified power system in the Baltic region. Sweden's ABB completed laying the undersea cable in late 2015, thereby linking Lithuania to Sweden at a cost of 550 million Euros.
The Nordbalt power interconnection was intended to reduce Lithuania's dependence on Russia for electricity supply, with a capacity to transfer 700 megawatts (MW) of power to Lithuania or 700 MW to Sweden when needed. The connection has been successful since its launch, providing Lithuania with a diverse energy mix and enhancing the country's energy security.
However, technical problems such as those experienced in Nordbalt pose significant risks to maintaining operational integrity. It affects the quality of service and can result in outages, thereby impacting industrial output and economic growth. In extreme cases, technical problems can cause grid instability, which can have severe consequences for the energy sector, which is critical to socio-economic development.
The replacement of the onshore cable joints is imperative to maintain the integrity and reliability of the Nordbalt power interconnection. Litgrid must ensure that the technology employed in the replacement process is up-to-date and that the new joints meet the requisite standards, as this will determine the success of the entire project.
In summary, the replacement of the onshore cable joints is necessary to secure the Nordbalt power interconnection's long-term operation. Litgrid must ensure that the project is carried out efficiently, performed within the set timelines, and up to the required standards. The successful completion of the replacement process will guarantee Lithuania's energy security and independence, contributing to the country's socio-economic growth.