Polish power transmission network operator Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne (PSE) announced on Monday (13 November) that together with its Lithuanian counterpart Litgrid it is “exploring” an alternative for the planned Polish-Lithuanian interconnection.
Tenders for the planned Harmony Link connection, which would travel through the Baltic Sea, were cancelled in April this year due to increased costs and a surge in orders from direct current (DC) cable and converter station manufacturers.
Following this development, the transmission network operators initiated preparations for new tenders while exploring alternative solutions to reduce costs and expedite the connection.
One option under consideration by PSE and Litgrid involves the use of a land cable. Preliminary assessments suggest that opting for this alternative could lead to a reduction in the project budget and faster implementation, PSE said in a press release. The land cable might leverage part of the corridor designated for the Rail Baltica railway route connecting Poland and Lithuania, PSE noted.
As assessments are still in progress, both merger options are being weighed at this stage, PSE said in the press release.
A final decision on the implementation of the connection is expected to be made in the first half of 2024.
Poland to aid Baltic states in accelerating Continental European Grid synchronisation
