Creating an electricity ring around Vilnius: Vilnius-Neris power line

In preparation for synchronisation with the continental European grid, Litgrid, the Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator, focuses on the power transmission ring surrounding the city of Vilnius and Vilnius district. Four synchronisation projects contribute to strengthening this energy hub and ensuring the stability and reliability of electricity supply. One of the most important projects that will permanently change the Vilnius electricity ring is the new 330 kV Vilnius-Neris transmission line. The operator started its construction at the end of July.

The new 81 km long overhead line from the Vilnius transformer substation in Trakai Voke to the Neris transformer substation in Nemen?in?, Vilnius district, will increase resilience of the electricity grid in Vilnius and the capital's suburbs, as well as enable further development of the city and district.

"Due to the growing population of the capital city and its surroundings, the increasing demand for electricity and the upcoming synchronisation with the continental European grid, we are forming an electricity transmission ring around Vilnius. This ring will include the Lithuanian power plant in Elektr?nai, Trakai Vok? and Nemen?in?, the Vilnius and Neris substations and the lines connecting them. The new Vilnius-Neris line is one of the edges in this circuit. After synchronisation, Vilnius-Neris will ensure the reliability of the electricity grid for the region's population and contribute to the security of the electricity system in the country as a whole," said Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Litgrid.

The operator received the permit for construction of the new line on 28 July.

In mid-July, Rokas Masiulis, Mindaugas Ivanavi?ius, Director of the Synchronisation Programme Implementation Centre (SPIC), Vaidotas Stankevi?ius, Head of the Eastern Lithuania Group, and Giedrius Gailevi?ius, Project Manager of the Eastern Lithuania Group, presented the progress of the projects related to the Vilnius power ring to Vilnius district municipality's leaders and elders, discussed the relevant issues.

During the construction of the Vilnius-Neris power transmission line, a new 58 km long line will be built from the Neris transformer substation in Nemen?in? to a point in the Marijampolis municipality, where it will connect with the existing Vilnius-Molode?no line. A 23 km long section of the Vilnius-Molode?no overhead line will also be reconstructed in the existing engineering corridor from the point of connection to the Vilnius transformer substation in the Paneriai district of Vilnius city.

The Vilnius-Neris overhead line is scheduled for completion in 2025.

Three more synchronisation projects strengthen the Vilnius energy hub.

The first is the completed reconstruction of the electricity transmission overhead line between Lietuvos elektrin? and Vilnius. During the project, all the line's pylons were replaced and a double-circuit transmission line was built on top of the newly installed pylons, replacing the former single-circuit line. The work was carried out in the existing engineering corridor, maintaining the protection zones that existed before. The overhead line passes through the municipalities of Elektr?nai, Trakai District and Vilnius City. The project was completed in 2020.

The Neris transformer substation is also being reconstructed in the Vilnius energy ring. The reconstruction is important to prepare the substation for the connection of both the Vilnius-Neris overhead line and one of the three synchronous compensators.

The reconstruction of the Neris substation, which has been in operation since 1972, includes the installation of two new 300 MVA autotransformers, the replacement of all the 330 kV switchgear, and the construction of new equipment necessary for the connection of the 330 kV Vilnius-Neris line. A new 330 kV busbar bridge from the 330 kV substation will also be built and a bay for the future synchronous condenser will be installed. The project also includes the reconstruction of a 110 kV switchyard, the installation of a new 10 kV indoor substation and other works.

The reconstruction of the Neris transformer substation is scheduled to be completed in 2025 and the connection of the synchronous condenser to the transmission grid in 2024.

In the future, a new 330 kV Vilnia transformer substation is planned to be built between 2025 and 2031. This would reduce the load on the Vilnius and Neris transformer substations, ensure the reliability of electricity supply and increase the security of electricity supply in Vilnius.