The development of the fourth Estonia-Latvia electricity interconnection will significantly increase the reliability and stability of the region’s power systems and facilitate the integration of larger amounts of renewable energy sources into the transmission networks, stated in the study prepared by the Italian energy consultant CESI S.p.A.. The Latvian and Estonian transmission system operators (TSOs), AS Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST) and Elering AS, plan to develop the interconnection project as offshore solution in the Baltic Sea between Saaremaa Island in Estonia and the Kurzeme coast in Latvia.
The study proposes a 275 kV alternating current (AC) double circuit interconnection solution, having a length of approximately 100 kilometres, including a relatively short onshore fully undergrounded route. The enhancement of the power transfer capacity between Estonia and Latvia is estimated around 700 MW.
As part of the study, consultant, based on publicly available information, evaluated several preliminary routing options at the sea and onshore till the nearest onshore substation in each country. The study included analyses of transmission system reliability and stability, as well as the interconnection impact to the transmission systems of both countries, taking into account development plans of the power systems of Latvia and Estonia and the increasing share of renewable energy sources. The study also identified and proposed the most environmentally friendly route option for the offshore section of the interconnection, considering environmental protected areas and maritime spatial planning recommendations.
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Summary: Estonia-Latvia fourth electricity interconnection technical research service