Public discussion of the construction of a new electrical interconnection with Estonia begins in Latvia. The project involves laying a cable along the bottom of the Baltic Sea to Ventspils and is expected to enhance the energy security of the region.
JSC "Augstsprieguma tīkls" has begun work on the project to construct the fourth electrical interconnection between Estonia and Latvia.
The new power line is set to run along the bottom of the Baltic Sea from the Estonian island of Saaremaa to Ventspils or the Ventspils region. A land section of the cable is also planned — from the coast to one of the substations in Ventspils or Ziras.
As the developers note, both the marine and land parts of the project will be executed as a cable line. This will help avoid the emergence of new overhead power lines and reduce the impact on the landscape.
The exact location of the route has not yet been determined. It is planned to be selected during the environmental impact assessment.
For the residents of the region, the first stage of the public discussion of the project is now beginning. Meetings with residents will take place on June 2 at the Zira People's House and on June 3 at the Parventa Library in Ventspils. Participation will be possible both in person and online via MS Teams. Written proposals and comments on the project can be submitted by residents until June 15.
In fact, this is one of the largest energy infrastructure projects in the region in recent years.
After the Baltic States disconnected from the Russian energy system, the topic of new international connections has become particularly important for the region. Such projects help increase the resilience of the energy system, expand electricity import capabilities, and reduce the risks of outages.
The project is already included in the development documents of Latvia and the European Union, which opens up the possibility of obtaining European co-financing.
At the same time, construction will stretch over several years.
The cross-border environmental assessment is planned to be completed by 2029, design by 2030, and the actual construction work may take place from 2030 to 2035.
After the route is approved, the company will negotiate separately with the owners of the affected land plots regarding compensation and land use conditions.
For the Ventspils region, the project may mean not only new restrictions and construction work but also an enhanced role for the city as one of the key energy hubs in the Baltics.
"Augstsprieguma tīkls" is the state operator of the electricity transmission system in Latvia and one of the largest players in the country's energy infrastructure.
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