OREANDA-NEWS. On February 06, 2007 Lietuvos Energija and Swedish power transmission system operator Svenska Kraftnat have completed a feasibility study for construction of a power interconnection between Lithuanian and Swedish power grids, reported the press-centre of Lietuvos Energija.

Last night in Stockholm its results were confirmed by CEOs of both companies, who signed a memorandum and expressed a wish for further cooperation.  The results of the study show that the interconnection between systems is feasible and would be economically reasonable in terms of technical, economical and legal aspects.  According to preliminary evaluation, the investments into the project would approximately total EUR 516 million, if a 700 MW cable was to be constructed or EUR 637 million if a 1000 MW cable was to be constructed. The project could be implemented until 2015.

We deeply appreciate such an efficient and mutually valuable cooperation of Lithuanian and Swedish energy experts - the aims of the study have been fully achieved and therefore together with Svenska Kraftnat we have agreed to further analyze project implementation issues, - says the signee of the memorandum Mr.Rymantas Juozaitis, General Director of Lietuvos Energija.  According to him, both countries agree that the project is a great possibility for interconnection of electricity markets and creation of conditions for integration of Baltic market into internal electricity market of the EU, solving of system reliability, power supply security, power generation sources diversification issues both - in the Baltic and Scandinavian region. 

The feasibility study for interconnection of Lithuanian and Swedish power systems has evaluated a possibility to interconnect transmission grids of both countries by the construction of a 350 km submarine cable across the Baltic Sea bed.  The study results note that if a wind park was to be constructed in the Baltic Sea, there would be a possibility to connect it to the cable, but in such case the cable capacity should reach 1000 MW. Otherwise, the cable capacity could be 700 MW.  The 1000 MW power bridge Lithuania – Sweden would create possibilities not only for interconnection of power systems, but also for development of renewable power sources in both countries. 

The study was conducted in 2 stages: first – an initial evaluation of feasibilities was performed – market analysis, analysis of project’s economical conditions, primary evaluation of investment needs for upgrade and reinforcement of existing power grids, second – a more comprehensive technical evaluation - deeper analysis of technical and environmental issues, additional evaluation of connection of wind parks to Lithuanian – Swedish power cable, financing possibilities of the project.