Litgrid completed one of its strategic projects – NordBalt, the construction of a power link with Sweden – by the end of 2015. This link is a prerequisite for the common Baltic – Nordic electricity market. The future electricity bridge will enable Lithuania to purchase electricity from Northern European countries that are rich in hydro energy resources. NordBalt will be an alternative channel for electricity import and export that will help Lithuania avoid dependence on the sole supplier in the East. The strategic power project is implemented by Litgrid, the Lithuanian transmission system operator, and Svenska Kraftnät, the Swedish transmission system operator. The construction works were scheduled for 2014 and 2015. In April 2014 the first kilometers of the cable were laid in the Baltic Sea near the coast of Lithuania.

Merko statyba UAB conducted the converter substation construction works in the Republic of Lithuania; the works were fully completed in June 2015. The purpose of the NordBalt project is to construct an intersystem power link connecting the Lithuanian and Swedish power transmission systems. The length of the 700 MW link is about 450 km. The link will be formed of high-voltage direct-current undersea and underground cables and of current converter stations in Lithuania and Sweden. The start of operation was in December 2015.

Facts:

• High-voltage direct current (HVDC) undersea cable. Cable length: approx. 400 km
• High-voltage direct current (HVDC) underground cable (on the Lithuanian side). Cable length: 13 km
• High-voltage direct current (HVDC) underground cable (on the Swedish side). Cable length: 40 km
• Link capacity: 700 MW
• Technology: VSC
• Estimated service life: 30 years
• Estimated project cost: LTL 1.9 billion
• Connection point in Lithuania: 330 kV Klaipėda substation. Connection point in Sweden: 400 kV Nybro substation