Germany, Latvia and Lithuania Advance Baltic-German PowerLink Project

Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania are collaborating on a major cross-border electricity project in the Baltic Sea, the Baltic-German PowerLink, aimed at enhancing energy security and integrating renewable energy sources. The initiative, formalized through a Joint Declaration of Intent signed on February 18, seeks to connect offshore wind farms and strengthen European energy markets.

Project Details and Infrastructure

The Baltic-German PowerLink will involve the construction of an approximately 600-kilometer submarine cable connecting Germany to a landing point in either southwest Latvia or northwest Lithuania [1]. A power hub will be established onshore to facilitate the transmission of around 2 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity towards Germany and into the high-voltage grids of Latvia and Lithuania [3].

Collaboration and Implementation

The transmission system operators 50Hertz (Germany), AST (Latvia), and Litgrid (Lithuania) have been tasked with developing a technical and economic implementation concept for the project, with completion expected by autumn 2026 [1], [3]. The project has been submitted for inclusion in the European Ten-Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP) to assess its impact on the internal electricity market, security of supply, and potential eligibility for EU funding [1], [3]. A final decision regarding the project’s next steps is anticipated by the end of 2026 [1], [3].

Benefits and Strategic Objectives

Officials emphasize that hybrid electricity connections, functioning as both interconnectors and offshore grid links, can deliver competitive power prices and reduce reliance on fossil fuels [1], [3]. Arnis Daugulis, a member of the Management Board of AST, highlighted that the Baltic region is transitioning from an electricity importer to an exporter due to increasing renewable energy generation, making timely planning of export routes crucial [1]. The project aims to enable bidirectional electricity flows, benefiting producers and consumers in Latvia and the Baltics while bolstering energy supply security.

The Baltic States

The Baltic states consist of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, all of which are members of NATO, the European Union, the Eurozone, and the OECD [1].