Poland’s and Lithuania’s Transmission System Operators (TSOs) PSE and Litgrid made the final investment decisions on the implementation phase of the Harmony Link interconnector project, a submarine power cable line between Poland and Lithuania.
The investment decisions, in accordance with the signed cooperation agreements, start the implementation phase of the project. In particular, they enable the commencement of tender procedures for the selection of contractors for the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Cable and HVDC Converter Stations.
“Harmony Link is a key investment in the process of synchronisation of Baltic States with Continental Europe Network,” stated Piotr Naimski, Secretary of State, Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure of the Government of Poland. “It is also an example of good cooperation between neighbours. PSE and Litgrid already proved that they are able to carry out such large and difficult investment projects during the construction of the LitPol Link connection and the entry of the Harmony Link project into the stage of implementation proves the effectiveness of Polish and Lithuanian partnership.”
“Harmony Link is the biggest project of synchronisation of Baltic States with Continental Europe Network,” added Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Litgrid. “The submarine cable will significantly increase the region’s energy security and it will contribute to the integration of renewable energy sources to all countries around the Baltic Sea.”
According to him, Litgrid and PSE are currently carrying out the territorial planning and environmental impact assessment processes required for the Harmony Link project, preparing tender documents for the construction of cable and converter stations, exploring the seabed for cable construction and Litgrid has acquired a plot for converter station construction in Darbėnai. In an agreement signed in May 2020, the operators decided on the division of works to be carried out by each party. Litgrid will be responsible for the installation of the required HVDC cable whereas PSE will be responsible for HVDC converter stations in Lithuania and Poland. Both companies, separately for their respective part of works, will select contractors, sign contracts and implement them.
“This is a key enabler for the synchronisation of the Baltic States,” pointed out Eryk Kłossowski, President of the Management Board of PSE. “Had it not been for the submarine link between Poland and Lithuania any trades between Continental Europe and Baltics would be merely unfeasible. Through implementing such a project, we are supporting not only our Lithuanian partners in their ambitions to fully integrate with Europe. Fore mostly, we support the vision of the European electricity market, which is built in underpinnings of the energy transformation on our continent.”
Once completed, Harmony Link will be a submarine cable power line of approximately 330 kilometres in length and will provide a transmission capacity of 700 megawatts (MW). It is expected to be completed in 2025.
Photo: PSE.
