Baltic states stop importing Russian electricity
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have achieved energy independence from Moscow.
In recent years, the Baltic states have increased domestic electricity generation and established grid connections with Scandinavia and other neighboring countries.
Salvador de Nolfie
Russia’s electricity exporter Inter RAO has lost the opportunity to sell electricity to its customers in the Baltic states since Sunday, following international sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
“This is an important step in our path to energy independence,” Lithuanian Energy Minister Danius Grievis told AFP on Sunday. On Friday, the Nord Pool Energy Exchange sent a notice to Inter RAO, banning trade in the Baltic countries following international sanctions.
For years, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have been trying to achieve energy independence from Moscow by increasing domestic power generation and establishing grid connections with Scandinavia and other neighboring countries.
Achieved independence
As a result, electricity imports from Russia to Latvia and Lithuania, which stood at 1,300 MW per year, fell to 300 MW last year and are now completely shut down. Latvia imported its last Russian electricity in early May, while Lithuania and Estonia stopped buying it on Sunday.
“By refusing to import Russian energy resources, we are refusing to finance the occupiers,” the Lithuanian minister added. 17% of electricity imported to Lithuania last year was Russian electricity.
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