Lithuanian TSO aids Ukraine transmission grid

Litgrid has delivered a transmission aid package for Ukraine to help rebuild the country’s energy infrastructure.

The Lithuanian TSO delivered an autotransformer to the country, which they state will provide electricity to hundreds of thousands of consumers.

The total market value of the equipment is about €3.6 million ($3.9 million), which consists of the autotransformer and other power grid equipment shipped earlier this year.

According to Litgrid, the 330/110/10kv autotransformer will be crucial for the Ukraine grid system as it is the main and most expensive device of the transmission grid substation.

Other 330kV and 110kV voltage transmission network devices, including disconnectors, switches, surge arresters, current and voltage measuring transformers and isolators reached Ukraine earlier this year in April.

The equipment will help ensure the supply of electricity, as Russia targets Ukraine’s energy grid.

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Lithuanian Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys commented on the aid package: “As Russia is purposefully destroying Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, we aim to help rebuild and strengthen Ukraine’s electricity transmission network.

“The second very powerful and necessary autotransformer sent to Ukraine from Lithuania will supply electricity to hundreds of thousands of residents. Lithuania’s support to Ukraine’s electricity, gas and heating sectors already exceeds €11 million ($11.8 million), and we will not stop supporting Ukraine in the future.”

A 200 megavolt-ampere autotransformer is very valuable for the Ukrainian electrical energy system: both Lithuania and Ukraine use the same voltage levels, and producing a new one of the same specifications would cost more than €2.5 million ($2.7 million) and would take about two years.

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The autotransformer ready for transport weighs almost 200 tonnes, is three meters wide, five meters high and ten meters long.

“After the arrival of the most important device for the electricity substation – the autotransformer – we can say that the entire second support package has reached the transmission system operator Ukrenegro,” stated Litgrid CEO Rokas Masiulis.

“An autotransformer and other grid equipment will help rebuild the war-damaged infrastructure. While modernising our country’s substations, we set aside various devices suitable for use in reserve. We will continue to support Ukrainians with them to make electricity supply as reliable and safe as possible.”

Other equipment from the EPSO-G group companies Litgrid and Amber Grid, intended for the restoration of electricity and gas transmission grids, arrived in November last year.

Support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure companies is collected and transported with the help of the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Ukraine, and the Ministries of Energy and Transportation.

The transport services of the aid sent by Litgrid to Ukraine are financed by the European Union.