Power systems of Russia and Belarus operate stably after Baltic withdrawal from BRELL

The withdrawal of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia from the international electric ring BRELL did not affect the parallel operation of the energy systems of Russia and Belarus and the functioning of the energy system in the Kaliningrad region. This was reported by the press service of the System Operator of the Unified Energy System (SO UES) on February 8.

"After the Baltic States today disconnected the power lines connecting them with the UES of Russia, UES of Belarus and the energy system of the Kaliningrad region, there are no risks of disruption of the normal operation of the Russian energy systems," - said in a message of the press service in Telegram-channel.

It is noted that the parallel operation of the energy sector of Russia and Belarus continues unchanged. It was specified that the electrical connections of the UES of Russia and the UES of Belarus go through three interstate power lines of 330 kV, one line of 750 kV and lines of lower voltage class.

In addition, the Ministry of Energy of Belarus in the Telegram-channel also reported on the stable operation of the Belarusian energy system.

"February 8 at 10:09 a.m. disconnection of 330 kV transmission line Kingisepskaya - Balti #1 completed all technological operations to separate Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia from parallel operation with the energy systems of Belarus and Russia," added in the department.

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Earlier in the day, the Russian Ministry of Energy reported that the Kaliningrad region had switched to an autonomous mode of operation due to the withdrawal of the Baltic States from the single energy ring with the Russian Federation and Belarus. It also specified that as of February 8, the total capacity of Kaliningrad power plants is 1.88 GW. Peak power consumption is twice as high due to this, and citizens will be provided with power supply under any circumstances.

The BRELL electric ring is an interconnection of the energy systems of Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In November 2024, the operators of the power systems of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia officially notified Russia and Belarus of their withdrawal from the common BRELL power system by February 8, 2025.

The connection of the Baltic countries' power systems with the continental European Synchronous Area is scheduled for February 9, 2025.