Synchronisation Project Newsletter 04 2020

STRENGTHENING THE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE OF LITHUANIA

SYNCHRONISATION PROJECT NEWSLETTER 04 2020

Co-financed by the Connecting Europe Third interconnection between Estonia and Latvia: 330 kV Kilingi-Nõmme–Riga high-voltage overhead power line, June 2020. Facility of the European Union AST photo. SYNCHRONISATION MAP

Mūša

Darbėnai Telšiai Enhancing link with the Continental European SK Synchronous Area by expanding LitPol Link interconnector and Alytus substation Klaipėda Ignalina Utena Building Harmony Link o shore interconnector between Lithuania and Poland Pagėgiai Bitėnai Strengthening internal Lithuanian transmission Jurbarkas networks

Lietuvos E SK Creating foundation for network reliability by Postavy Neris installing synchronous condensers Vilnius Preparing for autonomous control of the frequency FSAS 50 Hz of the system Alytus AGV SK

Construction / reconstruction of transmission lines

HVCD interconnectors Elk

Construction / reconstruction of substation

Relocated variable shunt reactor

SK Installation of synchronous condenser

AGV Implementation of frequency stability assessment system

FSAS 50 Hz Implementation of automatic generation control system FOCUS OF THE MONTH: ROKAS MASIULIS AT THE STEERING WHEEL OF SYNCHRONISATION

because at that time I was managing in my professional career, I have a matter of national security, so we must also preparations for the future, as this Klaipedos Nafta, the company that was repeatedly seen what at first seemed implement those infrastructure projects infrastructure will also address the implementing the project. We set impossible become a reality. A lot here that are key to strengthening our security integration of renewable energy sources. ourselves an ambitious goal, we did not depends, as I have already mentioned, on as quickly as possible and pay special have time to relax and it was not easy, but staying focused, good strategic planning, attention to them. The completion of the Most of the electricity in the future in we were persistent, focused and united, and a competent, professional, and LitPol Link expansion project will be Lithuania will be generated by onshore so we succeeded in the end. energetic team. Such are the people I met particularly important here, as it will and o shore wind farms, so this year we when I came to Litgrid. I am grateful to allow, if necessary, to enable emergency have already commissioned a study on We must now repeat that success with them for this and my goal as a leader is to synchronous operation with the Polish the implementation of o shore wind the synchronisation project, because maintain a united and motivated team electricity transmission grid already this integration, which will show what other there is no other way - energy and complete what has been started. year. technological solutions are needed. dependence is costly, not only in economic terms, but also in the terms of - What are the most important tasks We see that we need to be prepared for All these infrastructure works and politics and national security. waiting for you now? di erent scenarios and we cannot forget advanced technologies are needed to the context, in which we are preparing to fulfil the most important task of the - What is the key to success? It is already obvious that the disconnect from the Russian energy ring. transmission system operator: to ensure synchronisation work is happening, the It is the Astravyets issue. I will simply a reliable supply of electricity to our The synchronisation is not only one of the project is in full swing, the electricity remind you that Belarus warned us just a customers. Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Litgrid most ambitious, but also the most infrastructure is being renewed and built month ago about planned tests of the infrastructure-intensive energy project all over Lithuania - around Vilnius, near energy system, although such work is At the end of February, Rokas Masiulis challenge, because, as the past has for our nation. It is also our last step in Alytus, Ignalina and many other places. usually announced half a year in advance. took over the CEO role at the shown, infrastructure projects ofen integration into the European Union. It There is a total of 14 individual projects, 3 And this should be the case among transmission system operator Litgrid, face diculties when moving from will complete the energy isolation of the of which have already been implemented, reliable partners, as such tests require which has synchronisation of the Baltic paper to action, and the pandemic here Baltic States and ensure energy security. with 2 more to be completed this year. In particularly careful, thorough and electricity system with the Continental is still a factor. We will become part of a secure, reliable the last month alone, we already had two responsible preparation. In any case, the European Synchronous Area as the top European energy system operating under good and important updates in the tests were successful, and we took priority item on its agenda. I would like to take this opportunity to uniform and transparent rules. Such a progress of the Harmony Link project, advantage of this situation to remind you of our another success story way, I believe, unites and brings together which is the largest in the whole double-check reliability and resilience of We talk with the new CEO about the most in energy, which is the liquefied natural those to whom this work is entrusted. synchronisation process. The most our system. important tasks and challenges ahead. gas storage vessel Independence, an important task now is to keep up the icebreaker on the road to energy I have more than twenty years of pace, plan responsibly and prepare for It is important to mention one more thing: - You became the head of Litgrid at the independence of Lithuania. I had the experience in the energy sector, so the the work that awaits us in the near future. the synchronous condensers installed time when synchronisation has gained opportunity to participate in this challenges I face here are well known and with the synchronisation project, the momentum. This is undoubtedly a major endeavour directly and very closely, had to be addressed before. And indeed, At the same time, the synchronisation is Harmony Link submarine connection are FOCUS OF THE MONTH: ROKAS MASIULIS AT THE STEERING WHEEL OF SYNCHRONISATION

because at that time I was managing in my professional career, I have a matter of national security, so we must also preparations for the future, as this Klaipedos Nafta, the company that was repeatedly seen what at first seemed implement those infrastructure projects infrastructure will also address the implementing the project. We set impossible become a reality. A lot here that are key to strengthening our security integration of renewable energy sources. ourselves an ambitious goal, we did not depends, as I have already mentioned, on as quickly as possible and pay special have time to relax and it was not easy, but staying focused, good strategic planning, attention to them. The completion of the Most of the electricity in the future in we were persistent, focused and united, and a competent, professional, and LitPol Link expansion project will be Lithuania will be generated by onshore so we succeeded in the end. energetic team. Such are the people I met particularly important here, as it will and o shore wind farms, so this year we when I came to Litgrid. I am grateful to allow, if necessary, to enable emergency have already commissioned a study on We must now repeat that success with them for this and my goal as a leader is to synchronous operation with the Polish the implementation of o shore wind the synchronisation project, because maintain a united and motivated team electricity transmission grid already this integration, which will show what other there is no other way - energy and complete what has been started. year. technological solutions are needed. dependence is costly, not only in economic terms, but also in the terms of - What are the most important tasks We see that we need to be prepared for All these infrastructure works and politics and national security. waiting for you now? di erent scenarios and we cannot forget advanced technologies are needed to the context, in which we are preparing to fulfil the most important task of the - What is the key to success? It is already obvious that the disconnect from the Russian energy ring. transmission system operator: to ensure synchronisation work is happening, the It is the Astravyets issue. I will simply a reliable supply of electricity to our The synchronisation is not only one of the project is in full swing, the electricity remind you that Belarus warned us just a customers. most ambitious, but also the most infrastructure is being renewed and built month ago about planned tests of the infrastructure-intensive energy project all over Lithuania - around Vilnius, near energy system, although such work is At the end of February, Rokas Masiulis challenge, because, as the past has for our nation. It is also our last step in Alytus, Ignalina and many other places. usually announced half a year in advance. took over the CEO role at the shown, infrastructure projects ofen integration into the European Union. It There is a total of 14 individual projects, 3 And this should be the case among transmission system operator Litgrid, face diculties when moving from will complete the energy isolation of the of which have already been implemented, reliable partners, as such tests require which has synchronisation of the Baltic paper to action, and the pandemic here Baltic States and ensure energy security. with 2 more to be completed this year. In particularly careful, thorough and electricity system with the Continental is still a factor. We will become part of a secure, reliable the last month alone, we already had two responsible preparation. In any case, the European Synchronous Area as the top European energy system operating under good and important updates in the tests were successful, and we took priority item on its agenda. I would like to take this opportunity to uniform and transparent rules. Such a progress of the Harmony Link project, advantage of this situation to Ignalina NPP substation after reconstruction, March 2021. remind you of our another success story way, I believe, unites and brings together which is the largest in the whole double-check reliability and resilience of We talk with the new CEO about the most in energy, which is the liquefied natural those to whom this work is entrusted. synchronisation process. The most our system. important tasks and challenges ahead. gas storage vessel Independence, an important task now is to keep up the icebreaker on the road to energy I have more than twenty years of pace, plan responsibly and prepare for It is important to mention one more thing: - You became the head of Litgrid at the independence of Lithuania. I had the experience in the energy sector, so the the work that awaits us in the near future. the synchronous condensers installed time when synchronisation has gained opportunity to participate in this challenges I face here are well known and with the synchronisation project, the momentum. This is undoubtedly a major endeavour directly and very closely, had to be addressed before. And indeed, At the same time, the synchronisation is Harmony Link submarine connection are SYNCHRONISATION PROCUREMENT

We share the planned procurement of synchronisation projects for 2021 to be published in the CVP IS (unless speciﬁed otherwise).

Planned announcement Project Procurement More information `

Construction of Harmony Link Harmony Link Publicity Services Jurga Eivaitė Q2 marine cable connection (Website Development) [email protected]

Construction of Harmony Link Harmony Link legal advisory Laura Zdanavičienė Q2 marine cable connection services [email protected]

Implementation of New Technical consultancy services Paulius Cicėnas Q2 Synchronous Condensers for synchronous condensers [email protected]

Construction of Vilnius-Neris Design and construction works Vaidotas Stankevičius Q2 330 kV overhead line of Vilnius-Neris overhead line [email protected]

Construction of Darbėnai Design and construction works Nijolė Ivanicienė Q2 substation of 330 kV Darbėnai substation [email protected]

Construction of Harmony Link Design, manufacturing and installation Renardas Toliušis Q3 marine cable connection of Harmony Link submarine cable [email protected]

Construction of Harmony Link Design, manufacturing and installation of Harmony Renardas Toliušis Link high voltage direct current converters [email protected] Q3 marine cable connection (will be announced on https://ted.europa.eu/) Construction of Kruonio Design and construction works of Bitėnai Algirdas Damijonaitis Q4 HAE-Bitenai 330 kV overhead line transformer substation extension [email protected]

Construction of Harmony Link Audit services on expenditure on projects Ana Tursienė Q4 marine cable connection ﬁnanced by the Connecting Europe Facility [email protected]

Construction of Mūša Design and construction works Nijolė Ivanicienė Q4 substation of 330 kV Mūša substation [email protected] OVERVIEW: KEY NEWS OF THE MONTH

Start of reconstruction of the Harmony Link seabed survey Litgrid has announced the Contract for Synchronisation Jurbarkas-Bitėnai transmission starts in the exclusive economic procurement of construction Studies Signed line zone in Sweden works for two projects

23/03/2021 07/04/2021 14/04/2021 19/04/2021

Litgrid has signed an agreement on the Following the permission by the Swedish Litgrid has announced public procurements Three Baltic electricity transmission system design and construction of the 330 kV power government to carry out seabed surveys for for design and construction works for the operators, AST, Litgrid and Elering, signed a transmission overhead line Jurbarkas – the proposed Harmony Link connection construction of 330 kV power transmission service contract with consortium of the Bitėnai. In a section of about 40 km, the line construction project and the completion of lines Darbėnai – Bitėnai and Kruonis HPP – Continental Europe TSOs for preparation of 5 will be changed from single-circuit to the necessary formalities, the Mintaka I Bitėnai. These lines are necessary to studies, with the goal to provide double-circuit. This reconstruction is the ﬁrst research vessel has started the work in the implement the strategic goal of Lithuania recommendations for upgrading the Baltic stage in the construction project of 330 kV Swedish EEZ in the Baltic Sea. which is synchronisation with the networks of power systems equipment, automatics and power transmission line Kruonis HPP – continental Europe. protective schemes to enable secure and Bitėnai. Read more here: stable synchronous operation with the https://www.litgrid.eu/index.php/naujienos/naujienos/pradeti-harmony-link-juros-dugno-tyrimai-svedijos-isskirtineje-ekonomineje-zonoje/31459 Read more here: Continental Europe after 2025. Read more here: https://www.litgrid.eu/index.php/news-events-/news/litgrid-announced-the-public-tender-for-engineering-and-construction-on-two-synchronisation-projects/31465 https://www.litgrid.eu/index.php/naujienos/naujienos/litgrid-pradeda-sinchronizacijai-svarbios-perdavimo-linijos-jurbarkas-bitenai-rekonstrukcija/31445 Read more here: https://www.litgrid.eu/index.php/news-events-/news/improvements-to-baltic-power-systems-needed-for-secure-and-stable-synchronous-operation-will-be-evaluated-in-synchronisation-studies/31466 STATUS: PROGRESS OF SYNCHRONISATION PROJECTS

Completion Project Implemented date* Works in progress Public support for strategic energy knowledge make us even less a ected by projects is undoubtedly particularly and more resilient to disinformation. Expansion of LitPol Link in Alytus 88 % 2021 While the auto transformers are in production, all other essential works have been completed. important, so it is important for us to be aware of and monitor the public opinion. - What trends in terms of The development plan concept conﬁrmed, land for substation acquired. Preparation of the design Today, we are glad to see that the support misinformation can be seen right now? Construction of Darbėnai substation 19 % 2025 assignment. for the Baltic electricity synchronisation project in Lithuania is truly great. More Our goal in communication is to present Ongoing seabed survey, preparation of technical speciﬁcation for design and construction, than two-thirds of the public welcomes true and real facts about the Construction of Harmony Link marine cable connection 20 % 2025 project implementation study completed. this project, which will guarantee energy synchronisation and energy security, security for our state. According to a thus increasing public awareness and Project completed Expansion of Bitėnai transformer substation 100 % 2019 survey conducted by the company resilience to disinformation. To position Spinter tyrimai at the end of last year, 68 facts against fear, manipulation and Construction of Pagėgiai-Bitėnai 110 kV overhead line 100 % 2020 Project completed percent of citizens support joining the misrepresentation, as energy continental European networks. If we independence of Lithuania and strategic compare the situation to what we had energy projects have been and continue Project completed Reconstruction of Lietuvos E-Vilnius 330 kV overhead line 100 % 2020 just a year ago, the share of the to be a target of propaganda by the supporting population increased by 15 %. Eastern neighbours. Construction of Vilnius-Neris 330 kV overhead line 26 % 2025 Coordination of spatial planning document, preparation of the design assignment. It should also be emphasized that the support is growing across all It is estimated that up to a quarter of the demographic groups. hostile propaganda about Lithuania is The conceptual infrastructure development plan has been approved. Construction of Mūša substation 20 % 2025 dedicated to economic and energy We have succeeded in achieving all this issues. In social networks and in some The conceptual infrastructure development plan has been approved, design works for positive change through the joint e orts media, there are constant attempts to Construction of Darbėnai-Bitėnai 330 kV overhead line 32 % 2025 reconstruction of the Klaipeda-Grobine range commenced. by us and our partners, and the state return to the stories that the The conceptual infrastructure development plan has been approved, design works for Today, the synchronisation is no longer According to her, public support, institutions. Inter-institutional synchronisation is expensive, it will not Construction of Kruonio HAE-Bitėnai 330 kV overhead line 31 % 2025 reconstruction of the Jurbarkas-Bitenai range commenced. something abstract and intangible in counteracting disinformation and cooperation, open and transparent pay o , it is impossible to get out of the maintaining a dialogue with local information sharing with stakeholders - BRELL ring, that Lithuania is dependent 330 kV works at Utena and Ignalina substations completed, works at the 110 kV switchyard are documents and drawings: we talk every including this newsletter - is also crucial on electricity from Astravyets and so on. Grid optimisation in North-Eastern Lithuania 90 % 2021 ongoing. day about real daily work that makes communities are key goals when it comes our energy system safer and brings us to communication on the to gaining public support. Such claims are unfounded. The political, The public tender for design, production and implementation of synchronous condensers under closer to the day we work with reliable synchronisation. That is what we talk economic and technical progress of the Implementation of New Synchronous Condensers 28 % 2024 execution, substation reconstruction works ongoing European partners, says Paulė about. The wide public support for project is ensured. The EU expressed its Pupinytė-Bružienė, Head of synchronisation, support for energy solidarity with the Baltic States and Implementation of Frequency Stability Assessment System (FSAS) 12 % 2024 Project plan preparation Communications at Litgrid. - What is the public opinion on the independence from Russia, and the provided more than 1 billion euros synchronisation project? observed qualitative change in people's support for the synchronisation project. Implementation of Automatic Generation Control System 12 % 2024 Project plan preparation * According to Actions and Measures Plan approved by Lithuanian Government.

Russia and Belarus themselves are synchronisation infrastructure in various constantly testing their energy systems regions. We are convinced of the and are also preparing for what is importance of hearing people’s inevitable: the disconnection of the Baltic expectations, needs and ensuring a States from the BRELL ring. One after constant dialogue, which is why we held another, new infrastructure projects are more than 20 meetings with residents being completed and launched, which we and community representatives last year also present in this newsletter every alone. We will continue to responsibly month. In combating such propaganda, develop and nurture this culture of active and consistent communication dialogue, which begins in the very ﬁrst plays a signiﬁcant role, especially in stages of projects. dispelling the myths on which misinformation is built.

- How local communities are involved in the process, as the success of the project also depends a lot on their support?

Public support for strategic energy knowledge make us even less a ected by projects is undoubtedly particularly and more resilient to disinformation. important, so it is important for us to be aware of and monitor the public opinion. - What trends in terms of Today, we are glad to see that the support misinformation can be seen right now? for the Baltic electricity synchronisation project in Lithuania is truly great. More Our goal in communication is to present than two-thirds of the public welcomes true and real facts about the this project, which will guarantee energy synchronisation and energy security, security for our state. According to a thus increasing public awareness and survey conducted by the company resilience to disinformation. To position Spinter tyrimai at the end of last year, 68 facts against fear, manipulation and percent of citizens support joining the misrepresentation, as energy continental European networks. If we independence of Lithuania and strategic compare the situation to what we had energy projects have been and continue just a year ago, the share of the to be a target of propaganda by the supporting population increased by 15 %. Eastern neighbours. It should also be emphasized that the support is growing across all It is estimated that up to a quarter of the demographic groups. hostile propaganda about Lithuania is Paulė Pupinytė-Bružienė, Head of Communications at Litgrid dedicated to economic and energy We have succeeded in achieving all this issues. In social networks and in some positive change through the joint e orts media, there are constant attempts to by us and our partners, and the state return to the stories that the Today, the synchronisation is no longer According to her, public support, institutions. Inter-institutional synchronisation is expensive, it will not something abstract and intangible in counteracting disinformation and cooperation, open and transparent pay o , it is impossible to get out of the documents and drawings: we talk every maintaining a dialogue with local information sharing with stakeholders - BRELL ring, that Lithuania is dependent day about real daily work that makes communities are key goals when it comes including this newsletter - is also crucial on electricity from Astravyets and so on. our energy system safer and brings us to communication on the to gaining public support. Such claims are unfounded. The political, closer to the day we work with reliable synchronisation. That is what we talk economic and technical progress of the European partners, says Paulė about. The wide public support for project is ensured. The EU expressed its Pupinytė-Bružienė, Head of synchronisation, support for energy solidarity with the Baltic States and Communications at Litgrid. - What is the public opinion on the independence from Russia, and the provided more than 1 billion euros synchronisation project? observed qualitative change in people's support for the synchronisation project.

- How local communities are involved in the process, as the success of the project also depends a lot on their support?

Because the synchronisation is a pan-Baltic project, our communication audiences have gradually expanded from national to regional and even wider. However, undoubtedly in Lithuania a lot of attention is paid to communication with local communities and self-government where strategically important infrastructure is being built. We take this very responsibly and are pleased with the quality partnerships we have established. Today, we apply the good experience gained during the implementation of the LitPol Link and NordBalt interconnector projects when working with the Public support for strategic energy knowledge make us even less a ected by projects is undoubtedly particularly and more resilient to disinformation. Expansion of LitPol Link in Alytus 88 % 2021 important, so it is important for us to be aware of and monitor the public opinion. - What trends in terms of Today, we are glad to see that the support misinformation can be seen right now? Construction of Darbėnai substation 19 % 2025 for the Baltic electricity synchronisation project in Lithuania is truly great. More Our goal in communication is to present Construction of Harmony Link marine cable connection 20 % 2025 than two-thirds of the public welcomes true and real facts about the this project, which will guarantee energy synchronisation and energy security, security for our state. According to a thus increasing public awareness and Expansion of Bitėnai transformer substation 100 % 2019 survey conducted by the company resilience to disinformation. To position Spinter tyrimai at the end of last year, 68 facts against fear, manipulation and Construction of Pagėgiai-Bitėnai 110 kV overhead line 100 % 2020 percent of citizens support joining the misrepresentation, as energy continental European networks. If we independence of Lithuania and strategic compare the situation to what we had energy projects have been and continue Reconstruction of Lietuvos E-Vilnius 330 kV overhead line 100 % 2020 just a year ago, the share of the to be a target of propaganda by the supporting population increased by 15 %. Eastern neighbours. Construction of Vilnius-Neris 330 kV overhead line 26 % 2025 It should also be emphasized that the support is growing across all It is estimated that up to a quarter of the demographic groups. hostile propaganda about Lithuania is Construction of Mūša substation 20 % 2025 dedicated to economic and energy We have succeeded in achieving all this issues. In social networks and in some Construction of Darbėnai-Bitėnai 330 kV overhead line 32 % 2025 positive change through the joint e orts media, there are constant attempts to by us and our partners, and the state return to the stories that the Today, the synchronisation is no longer According to her, public support, institutions. Inter-institutional synchronisation is expensive, it will not Construction of Kruonio HAE-Bitėnai 330 kV overhead line 31 % 2025 something abstract and intangible in counteracting disinformation and cooperation, open and transparent pay o , it is impossible to get out of the documents and drawings: we talk every maintaining a dialogue with local information sharing with stakeholders - BRELL ring, that Lithuania is dependent Grid optimisation in North-Eastern Lithuania 90 % 2021 day about real daily work that makes communities are key goals when it comes including this newsletter - is also crucial on electricity from Astravyets and so on. our energy system safer and brings us to communication on the to gaining public support. Such claims are unfounded. The political, closer to the day we work with reliable synchronisation. That is what we talk economic and technical progress of the Implementation of New Synchronous Condensers 28 % 2024 European partners, says Paulė about. The wide public support for project is ensured. The EU expressed its Pupinytė-Bružienė, Head of synchronisation, support for energy solidarity with the Baltic States and Implementation of Frequency Stability Assessment System (FSAS) 12 % 2024 Communications at Litgrid. - What is the public opinion on the independence from Russia, and the provided more than 1 billion euros synchronisation project? observed qualitative change in people's support for the synchronisation project. Implementation of Automatic Generation Control System 12 % 2024

PEOPLE OF SYNCHRONISATION: HOW AND WHY WE TALK ABOUT SYNCHRONISATION

- How local communities are involved in the process, as the success of the project also depends a lot on their support?