Rapid Fire
Baltic States Disconnected from Russian Grid
- 19 Feb 2025
- 2 min read
The Baltic Nations (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) have officially disconnected from Russia's Soviet-era electricity grid and integrated into the EU's power network through connections with Finland, Sweden, and Poland.
- Europe’s Energy Dependence on Russia:
- The Baltic States inherited a Soviet-era power grid and remained in Russia's network even after 1991 independence.
- By 2025, they achieved full electricity independence from Russia and Belarus.
- Europe's reliance on Russian energy has declined significantly. Before the 2022 Russia-Ukraine War, it sourced 40% of gas, 30% of oil, and 50% of coal from Russia. By 2023, gas imports fell to 14.8%.
Baltic States:
- The Baltic states are located in northeastern Europe, bordered by the Baltic Sea (west & north), Russia (east), Belarus (southeast), and Poland & Russia (Kaliningrad)(southwest).
- They gained independence from the USSR in 1991.
- They lack natural resources, relying on imports despite Estonia's oil shale production. Agriculture remains vital, with grains, potatoes, fodder crops, and livestock farming.
- All 3 countries are members of NATO (since 2004), the EU, the Eurozone, and the OECD.
Read More: Baltic Nations - Drishti IAS
