Lithuania, Latvia, and Germany are collaborating on an offshore interconnector to facilitate electricity trading and integrate up to 2 GW of offshore wind capacity in Lithuania and Latvia.
On February 18, energy ministers from Lithuania, Latvia, and Germany signed a joint declaration of intent to develop the Baltic-German PowerLink interconnector. This project will support electricity trading and expand onshore renewable energy capacity.
The transmission system operators (TSOs) – Litgrid, Augstsprieguma tīkls, and 50Hertz – will assess the feasibility of this hybrid electricity interconnection. Last year, they submitted a joint application to include the interconnection, previously known as the Baltic Hub, in the 2026 Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) of the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E).
The PowerLink project, developed by Litgrid, Augstsprieguma tīkls, and 50Hertz, features a 2 GW, approximately 600-kilometre hybrid offshore connection, with a Baltic States connection point near the Lithuania-Latvia border. The exact location will be determined after technical studies.
The joint declaration supports further studies by TSOs and other entities, including cost-benefit analyses, financing models, and technical solutions. Depending on preliminary study results, the project may apply for Project of Common Interest (PCI) status in the EU and seek EU funding for detailed studies. Other Baltic Sea region EU countries might join the project, according to the Latvian Ministry of Energy.
Decisions on the next steps for the Baltic-German PowerLink project are expected by the third quarter of 2026, with completion aimed for 2037 if approved.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz