LitPol Link (− Interconnector)

Key information

Route Alytus (Lithuania)−Elk (Poland) Developer LitPol Link z.o.o. Length (km) 150 Voltage (kV) 400 kV HVDC Estimated cost EUR345 million Scheduled/Expected completion 2015/2020 Notes: HVDC – high voltage direct current

Developer: LitPol Link z.o.o., a joint venture between AB of Lithuania and Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne Operator SA (PSE Operator) of Poland.

Description: The LitPol Link is a key project to interconnect the transmission grids of the Baltic countries with the western European electricity system. The project entails the construction of a 150-km long 400 kV double-circuit high voltage direct current (HVDC) overhead line between the Alytus substation in Lithuania and the Elk substation in Poland. About 100 km of this line is in Polish territory (from Elk to the border with Lithuania) and the remaining 50 km is in Lithuania (from the Alytus substation to the border with Poland). The project also involves reconstruction and expansion of the Alytus and Elk substations. A back-to-back (B2B) converter station near the Alytus substation will also be built.

The transmission system operators of the two countries set up a joint venture called LitPol Link z.o.o. in 2008 to develop the project. The project has received EUR214 million in funds from the (EU) under its Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E) programme. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), through its Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund, has also announced EUR2 million in financial support for the construction of the link. The project cost is expected to touch EUR345 million. Litgrid has received funds worth LTL18.5 million (equivalent to EUR4.3 million) from the EU for the Alytus substation reconstruction works.

The link is being developed in two stages. Phase I will have a transfer capacity of 500 MW and will be operational in 2015. In Phase II, the capacity will be increased to 1,000 MW by 2020.

The construction of the LitPol Link has also necessitated the construction of several other transmission projects in Poland and a power line in Lithuania in order to strengthen the power grids in both countries to handle the expected increase in energy trade. The power line project (associated with the LitPol Link) in Lithuania is the 53-km long 330 kV Kruonis–Alytus transmission line. This is also planned to be completed by 2015. In Poland, the projects associated with the LitPol Link have been grouped under Phase I (to be completed by 2015) and Phase II projects (to be completed between 2015 and 2020).

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Global Transmission Research Phase I projects in Poland are:

Construction of 400/220/110 kV Ołtarzew substation Construction of the400 kV single-circuit Ostrołęka–Narew line with the expansion of the Narew and Ostrołęka (stage I) substations Construction of the 400 kV double-circuit Elk–Lomza line along with the expansion of the Elk substation (stage I) and construction of the Lomza substation Construction of the 400 kV Elk–Polish border line with the upgradation of the Elk substation (stage II) Construction of the 400 kV single-circuit Miłosna–SiedlceUjrzanów line along with the expansion of the SiedlceUjrzanów substation (stage I) Construction of the 400 kV Stanisławów substation

Phase II projects in Poland are:

Construction of the 400 kV double-circuit Ostrołęka–Stanisławów power line Expansion of the 220/110 kV Ostrołęka substation to 400 kV (stage II) Construction of the 400 kV single-circuit Kozienice–Siedlce Ujrzanów line Expansion of the400/110 kV Siedlce Ujrzanów substation (stage II) Expansion of the 400/220/110 kV Kozienice substation Construction of the 400 kV Płock–Olsztyn Mątki line Expansion ofthe 400/110 kV Płock substation Expansion of the 400/110 kV Olsztyn Mątki substation

Contractors: A consortium of Sweco International and Sweco Lietuva was selected in November 2009 to conduct the environmental impact assessment (EIA) study for the interconnection. In February 2012, Litgrid signed an agreement with a consortium of environmental and engineering project consultants including URS (Poland), Energetikos Projektai and the Lithuanian branch of URS Scott Wilson Limited for developing the technical design for the reconstruction and extension of the 380 kV switchyard at the Alytus substation.

In April 2012, Alstom Grid, ABB and Siemens were shortlisted for the contract to design, build and supply equipment for the HVDC B2B station with a 400 kV switchyard in Alytus, the biggest tender in the LitPol Link project. In May 2012, the agreement on reconstruction of the 400/110 kV Elk substation was signed between the PSE Operator and ELFEKO S.A. Several contracts have also been signed for Polish projects associated with LitPol Link.

Current status: The two transmission system operators are in the process of obtaining the necessary approvals for the project and are in consultations with landowners for easements. This process is expected to last until the end of 2012. The environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Polish component is expected by June 2013. The technical designs for the Alytus substation are expected to be approved in the first quarter of 2013.

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www.globaltransmission.info Scheduled timeline: Construction works are expected to begin in 2013. The first phase is scheduled for completion in 2015. The second phase will be completed by 2020.

Contact details

Person/Company PSE Operator S.A. Litgrid AB LitPol Link z.o.o. Address Konstancin Jeziorna 5- A. Juozapavičiaus g. 13, Wojciecha Górskiego 520, 165, Poland LT-09311, , 9, 00-033 Warsaw, Lithuania Poland Telephone +48 22 2422600 +370 52 782777 +48 22 3233461 Fax NA +370 52 723986 +48 22 3233465 Email sekretariat@pse- [email protected] litpol-link@litpol- operator.pl link.eu Website www.pse-operator.pl www.litgrid.eu www.litpol-link.com

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Global Transmission Research