The Latvian transmission system operator JSC "Augstsprieguma tīkls" (AST) in cooperation with the general partnership "Empower un Leonhard Weiss" said June 19 that the complete reconstruction of the link had been completed.
The financing of the EUR 14 million project is 75% paid for from the funds of the European Union Infrastructure Connecting Instrument.
The length of the overhead line in the territory of Latvia reaches almost 50 km, crossing the territory of Valmiera and Valka regions. The length of the line's cables reaches 450 km, and it has 114 pylons.
The Valmiera-Tsirguliina and Valmiera-Tartu overhead lines that were replaced were built in the 1960s and 1970s. Both 330kV overhead lines were reconstructed by replacing all the old infrastructure.
Reconstruction of the electricity transmission line Valmiera-Tsirguliina and the electricity transmission line Valmiera-Tartu will provide sufficient infrastructure for the energy independence of the Baltic States from Russia's power system, serving as the prerequisite for the successful synchronisation of the Baltic States' power system with the grids of Continental Europe, which is planned for 2025.
The synchronisation of the Baltic networks with European network will increase the security of electricity supply in the region while promoting the development of the Ruropean internal energy market and creating new business opportunities. Investments in equipment and technologies are also one of the preconditions for the secure connection of large-scale renewable energy sources to the transmission network and for meeting the objectives of the European Green Deal.
Various officials were on hand at a ceremony to mark completion of the lines.
Rolands Irklis, chairman of the board of Latvian transmission system operator JSC Augstsprieguma said:
"We already have the third interconnector between Estonia and Latvia, last year the 330 kV overhead line line Valmiera-Tartu was completed, and this year the reconstruction works of the 330 kV overhead line Valmiera- Tsirguliina is completed. This means that the energy supply between Latvia and Estonia is ensured and stable. This is very important right now, when we are preparing to synchronise with the European network. This project not only connects Estonia with Latvia, it is also a project that connects the Baltic States with Europe."
