Power rates in Baltics almost double following incision from Russian grid

(MENAFN) Electricity prices in the Baltic states have nearly doubled following their disconnection from Russia's electricity transmission grid last week, according to Nord Pool trading data. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania officially cut ties with the BRELL Energy Ring, a network that synchronized the grids of Russia, Belarus, and the Baltic countries. The decision to disconnect, made years ago, was driven by concerns over energy security, as these nations sought to sever ties with Russia-controlled infrastructure.

After the switch, the average electricity price in the region jumped by around 25% to €125 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in January, and by February 12, it soared to €230 per MWh—more than double last month's rate. While some experts argue that the price hike is not directly linked to the grid separation, they note that the Baltic states had previously relied on the Russian grid to stabilize frequencies and prevent outages.

Elering, Estonia's gas transmission system operator, pointed to factors such as low wind and solar output, increased electricity demand due to cold weather, and rising natural gas prices for the price surge. Additionally, the Baltic states have lost key electricity connections, such as the Estlink 2 cable to Finland and the NordBalt cable to Sweden, which were damaged in late 2024.

Russia, however, has criticized the Baltic nations' decision, suggesting it would lead to higher electricity prices and weaker power grids, which could harm the EU's economic competitiveness. The Russian Foreign Ministry further condemned the move as detrimental to the well-being of the Baltic countries and their people.

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