Second Baltic synchronous compensator delivered as disconnection inches close
Image by Kristaps Anshkens. Courtesy AST.
As the February 2025 Russian disconnection deadline lingers on the horizon for the Baltic states, Latvia’s Ventspils port has welcomed the second synchronous compensator delivery.
The ice-free, deep-water sea port on the Baltic coast of Latvia has this week welcomed an important cargo delivery by Siemens Energy from Germany – a synchronous compensator, its flywheel and its components.
The cargo marks a significant milestone for the port, being the second delivery of such cargo for the Baltics interconnector, a critical project to disconnect the Baltic states from Russia’s grid and connect them to the European energy system.
The total weight of the cargo exceeds 390 tonnes and was ordered by JSC Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST) to ensure the stable operation of the electric grid after disconnection from the Russian-controlled system.
Have you read:
Baltic states to install synchronous compensators in resilience efforts
Italy boosts grid resilience with synchronous compensator systems
The cargo will be delivered to the AST substation in Ventspils, following the first synchronous compensator’s installation in May in Grobina, Latvia, where the third set of synchronous equipment will be delivered by the end of the year.
The total investment of the project comes to €114 million ($126.8 million), 75% of which comes from Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) co-financing.
The construction of the synchronous compensator stations and connection to the transmission network is carried out by AST in cooperation with EM&SE Syncons, a partnership formed by Germany’s Siemens Energy and Latvia’s SIA Enersense.
Synchronous compensator: A stable disconnection
To ensure the necessary inertia in the energy system for maintaining a stable frequency, as well as the short-circuit power for the operation of relay protection and the safe connection of solar and wind power plants, synchronous compensators will be installed in Latvia, as well as in Lithuania and Estonia – three in each Baltic country.
The construction will strengthen their transmission system infrastructure, which is being prepared for synchronisation with continental Europe.
The synchronisation project is in its final phase with the Baltic states expecting to disconnect from the Russian system in February 2025.
AST’s announcement of the delivery coincides with a call for interest issued by the European Commission for candidate interested in the position of European Coordinator for the synchronisation project.
In line with Article 6 paragraph 2 of the Trans-European Network for Energy (TEN-E) Regulation, the position involves closely monitoring the last phase of implementation as well as the progress on the remaining infrastructure investments, provide advice and facilitate any measures that need to be taken by the stakeholders, and report back to the Commission and the Member States on the relevant progress.
According to the AST, the project will increase the reliability of electricity supply in the region, simultaneously promoting the development of the European internal energy market and creating new business opportunities.
Also, the investments in equipment and technologies made within the project are one of the prerequisites for safely connecting large-scale renewable energy sources to the transmission network and meeting the goals of the European Green Course.
