Integration of the Baltic States into the EU electricity system : a technical and economic analysise : executive summary

The present report describes and evaluates scenarios fostering the full integration of the Baltic electricity system within the EU power and market framework. Towards this goal, the de-synchronisation of the Baltic electricity grids from the Russia/Belarus system crucially represents a key-necessary requirement. In this sense, three de-synchronisation scenarios are assessed, looking in particular at alternative conditions of the Baltic power grid in terms of: (i) no synchronisation with any of neighbouring systems, (ii) synchronisation with the Nordic system, and (iii) synchronisation with the Continental European Network (CEN). The options diverge due to costs of additional fuel and infrastructure. The third option, Baltic-CEN synchronisation, emerges as the most techno-economically cost-effective. The highlights of the report are listed below. - Three Baltic-Russia/Belarus power system de-synchronisation scenarios - These scenarios include synchronisation of the Baltic grids with the Nordic system and with the CEN - The three scenarios are compared over the 2025 and 2030 horizons - Scenarios mainly differ in terms of generation cost and required power system investment - Baltic power system synchronisation with the CEN emerges as the most cost-effective option.