Baltics Unplug From Russian Grid to Gain Energy Independence

  • Region succesfully connects power grids to continental Europe
  • Lines with Russia getting cut off to boost energy security

Technicians arrive at the power substation in Rezekne, Latvia to disconnect the major power line between Latvia and Russia.

Photographer: Gints Ivuskans/AFP/Getty Images

The Baltic states successfully disconnected from Russia’s electricity grid and plugged into continental Europe’s network, securing long-sought energy independence from Moscow.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia disconnected high-voltage power lines linking them to Russia and Belarus on Saturday; their grid then operated autonomously for a day before connecting to the European grid via Poland on Sunday.