The Baltic Synchronisation is an EU flagship megaproject in the portfolio of the Connecting Europe Facility for Energy (CEF Energy) programme. Since 2014, the project has received more than EUR 1.2 billion of CEF Energy funding distributed across several Actions (covering works and studies) and this financial support has been instrumental in reaching the preparedness to synchronise the Baltic States with the Continental European Network (CEN) earlier than planned.
CEF Energy has supported the project for 10 years to conduct studies, build infrastructure and install IT equipment.
Some examples of CEF Energy funded Actions include interconnections (such as Tartu-Valmiera between Latvia and Estonia, Harmony link between Lithuania and Poland), internal lines (i.e Balti and Tartu in Estonia, Krajnik-Morzyczyn-Dunowo in Poland) and other critical infrastructure (such as the synchronous condensers in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) which allow stabilising the grid and decreasing system risks from the synchronisation process.
The Baltic States and the European Commission’s work in the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) has proved its worth in the Baltic region with positive spill-over effects to the rest of Europe. CEF support was paramount to making this synchronisation happen.
Launched in January 2014, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Energy is the flagship EU funding instrument for trans-European energy infrastructure in Europe. By supporting the deployment of strategic cross-border energy infrastructure, CEF Energy contributes to the integration of the EU energy market, ensures security of energy supply and promotes the achievement of the European Union's decarbonisation objectives, as set out in the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU plan.
With an overall budget of around EUR 10.6 billion for the 2014-2027 period, CEF Energy supports the deployment of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs), either during their preparatory phase (studies) or the construction phase (works). Upon completion, these projects provide a significant contribution to deliver the above-mentioned EU energy and decarbonisation policy objectives, fostering renewable energy integration, enhancing energy security and improving the efficiency and resilience of the energy systems.
The pursuit of energy independence has always been important in the Baltics. Whilst formerly an "energy island", the Baltic States are connected to the European electricity network through electricity lines with Poland-Lithuania (LitPol Link, commissioned in 2015), Lithuania-Sweden (NordBalt, commissioned in 2015) and Estonia-Finland (Estlink 1 and Estlink 2, commissioned in 2006 and 2014 respectively).
Nonetheless, for historical reasons, the Baltic states have operated in sync with the electric power systems of Russia and Belarus.
The goal of this synchronisation is to make the electric power systems of the Baltics synchronous with the Continental European Network, thus reducing dependence on decisions made outside the EU. Their integration has been a priority of the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan High-Level Group (“BEMIP”), which dates back to June 2009. For more information: Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan
The synchronisation has been considered the most important energy independence project both for the region and for the EU. The initial deadline for its finalisation was set at the end of 2025, and thanks to the Transmission System Operators’ (TSOs) and Member States’ unwavering commitment and the EU’s support, it has been completed in February 2025.
To make synchronisation a reality, major investments were needed to build new interconnections, reinforce the current networks, implement network management and control systems in each country, and install synchronous condensers to ensure frequency stability add inertia to the system. All this required close coordination among the TSOs of the Baltic States.
In terms of impact, the synchronisation is expected to expand the ability of the Baltic States to independently manage their electric power systems, balancing production and consumption, managing reliability reserves, and controlling power flows and frequencies and, very important, ensuring greater security.
By integrating into the European system, they gain independence from Russia and Belarus and a more reliable power supply. For consumers, the transition will be imperceptible, with improved network quality. Lastly, the full integration of the Baltic States into the internal energy market will also facilitate the uptake of renewable energy, supporting them achieve the European Green Deal goals.
