The third Estonia-Latvia interconnection
The third 330 kV Estonia-Latvia electric power transmission line from Harku, Estonia, to Riga, Latvia is a strategic infrastructure project.
Press releases
The third interconnection is important for the future of the whole Baltic region that ensures a better electricity supply security and more effective functioning of the electricity market in the Baltic countries and also between the Baltic countries, Nordic countries and other EU countries.
Construction of the electric power transmission line carries an important significance for Estonia and the other Baltic States – having a power transmission line is a technical prerequisite allowing the desynchronization of the Baltics from Russia’s electrical grid and their connection to the synchronous grid of Continental Europe.
The new 330kV overhead power line removes a bottleneck at the Estonia-Latvia border, increasing transmission power by up to 600 MW. In addition, the new overhead power line creates opportunities for connecting additional electricity producers to the power transmission grid in West-Estonia.
In 2015, the European Commission decided to finance the construction of the Estonia-Latvia electric power transmission line with 112 million euros. The sum covers 65% of the project’s planned 172 million total cost. Elering will cover the self-financed part of the cost with the profits from transmission capacity sold at an auction. Therefore, the construction of the line does not affect transmission services tariffs. The connection comprises of Harku-Lihula-Sindi and Kilingi-Nõmme–Riga lines, and according to the plan, it is to be completed in 2020.
The Construction of the third Estonian-Latvian interconnection, construction period 2018-2020:
Installing power line markers (bird diverters) on the Harku-Lihula-Sindi overhead line, April 2020
Elering installes 10,000 power line markers (bird diverters) on the Harku-Lihula-Sindi overhead line. The markers will be located on primary migratory routes and habitats. This is the first time such an extensive installation of markers has been undertaken in Estonia. Most of the markers are situated near rivers and streams. There will be markers on nearly 20 line segments, totalling 40 kilometres in length. The Harku-Lihula-Sindi line, along with the markers, is scheduled to be completed by end of 2020 and is part of the third Estonia-Latvia power connection .
Construction of the Harku-Lihula-Sindi 330/110 kV power line, May 2019:
The Construction of the third Estonian-Latvian interconnection, construction period 2018-2020:
Installing power line markers (bird diverters) on the Harku-Lihula-Sindi overhead line, April 2020
Elering installes 10,000 power line markers (bird diverters) on the Harku-Lihula-Sindi overhead line. The markers will be located on primary migratory routes and habitats. This is the first time such an extensive installation of markers has been undertaken in Estonia. Most of the markers are situated near rivers and streams. There will be markers on nearly 20 line segments, totalling 40 kilometres in length. The Harku-Lihula-Sindi line, along with the markers, is scheduled to be completed by end of 2020 and is part of the third Estonia-Latvia power connection .
Construction of the Harku-Lihula-Sindi 330/110 kV power line, May 2019: