Construction of the third Estonian- Latvian 330 kV Interconnection started in North Vidzeme

Development

eng_cef_cofinancing.pngJSC Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST) has commenced the construction of the first stage of the Third Estonian-Latvian 330 kV Interconnection project in Rūjiena and Mazsalaca municipalities of the North Vidzeme region. Currently, concrete casting of the line pylons is underway, with the first pylons expected to be raised in early May. In the near future, work is scheduled to commence in Burtnieki, Aloja and Limbaži municipalities as well.

Karte.JPG"The line is divided into stages and is scheduled to be completed gradually by the end of 2020, building it from the Estonian border towards Riga. A new power line of approximately 20 kilometres in length will be from the Estonian border to the existing transmission line corridor section between Rūjiena and Aloja and will then continue along the corridor of the existing 110 kV line passing Aloja, Limbaži and Skulte up to Saulkrasti. The line will then continue alongside the new Rail Baltica railway and its last 2 km stage to Riga TEC-2 will run alongside the planned E22 motorway route," says Varis Boks, Chairman of the Board of AST.

The new power transmission network interconnection is an important infrastructure project for the future of the entire Baltic Sea region, increasing the security of power supply in the Baltic region, ensuring efficient performance of the electricity market in the Baltic states and boosting the competitiveness of producers both within the Baltic states and between the Baltic states and the Nordic countries. The capacity in both directions is expected to increase by 500/600 MW.

The project foresees the construction of a 330 kV high-voltage power transmission line running over 176 kilometres from Riga TEC-2 to the Estonian border, as well as the expansion of the TEC-2 substation, while the Estonian transmission system operator Elering will construct the part of this line in the territory of Estonia to the Kilingi-Nõmme substation. The line crosses 11 municipalities and a total of 560 pylons are to be erected. The total cost of the project is approximately EUR 84 million, and 65% of the cost will be covered by the Connecting Europe Facility. The design and construction work of the power transmission line is carried out by the general partnership EE-LV Interconnection, while the work at the TEC-2 substation is performed by Empower AS branch in Latvia.

Considering the importance of the project, the Cabinet of Ministers has assigned it the status of national interest. Assigning the status of national interest is the means by which the state implements the political resolve regarding future national energy development and the commitment to the undertaken international obligations.