×
👋 Hi, I'm Juris, RNP's virtual assistant. How can I help you?

Self service portal

E-manager
Information line 8900
Become our customer
Latviešu
Become our customer
Self service portal E-manager
Information line 8900
Home
/
Aktualitātes
/

Latvia to disconnect from the Russian electricity grid over the weekend. What city residents need to know

Latvia to disconnect from the Russian electricity grid over the weekend. What city residents need to know

Pagarinātājs tuvplānā 2025-02-04

Over the weekend of 8 February, the Baltic States will disconnect from the Russian grid and join the common European grid. During the synchronisation of the electricity grids, no major disruptions to the electricity supply are expected. However, there are various theoretical risks, and Riga Municipality urges residents to be prepared in case any complications arise and the electricity goes out for a while.

Experts advise people not to abandon their plans for the weekend but to make a few preparations, just as you would for a storm, for example:

Charge mobile devices, laptops, electric cars and external batteries (known as “power banks”);

  • Refuel your car;
  • Buy spare batteries for radios and torches;
  • Disconnect equipment from the power source if the equipment is not in use or is susceptible to voltage fluctuations;
  • Download the 112 Latvija app on your mobile phone to receive timely notifications about what to do in various situations;
  • Use only official sources of information and do not trust loud and emotionally charged statements.
  • Riga Municipality has taken preventive measures and developed an action plan to ensure business continuity of the capital’s services and capital companies in worst-case scenarios if power supply disruptions occur during the synchronisation process.

As notified earlier, on 8 February, the Baltic States will disconnect from the Russian power system and join the European common grid, three times the size of the Russian grid in terms of generation. This is the most ambitious energy independence and regional security project jointly implemented by the electricity transmission system operators of the Baltic States – Latvia (JSC (AS) “Augstsprieguma tīkls”), Estonia, and Lithuania. The Baltic States are ready to join the European power system, having invested hard work for 15 years in the project to ensure a successful accession and a stable electricity supply system.

Connecting to the European grid will commence on 8 February 2025 and last until 9 February. February is a good time to switch because of the higher electricity production in the region (thermal power plants are working due to heat load, no repairs are performed in winter). February is also less likely to have particularly bad weather conditions. The current BRELL contract will expire on 7 February.

According to the Ministry of Climate and Energy, no power cuts are expected during connection to the European grid. The Baltic TSOs have made a concerted effort to invest substantially in their transmission systems to maximise the security of the electricity supply. Interconnectors and in-country lines have been built and upgraded, and synchronous expansion joints and batteries have been installed to ensure network stability and continuity of service.

At the same time, it is not possible to completely rule out power outages because synchronisation involves a technically complex process. Outages are possible under any circumstances. They can be caused both by external influences, such as storms, and by technological failures in the transmission systems of Latvia or neighbouring countries. The likelihood of power outages due to synchronisation is not significantly higher than in everyday life, for example, due to damage caused by adverse weather conditions.

Source: www.riga.lv