The Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—have made a major change. They have stopped getting electricity from Russia. Instead, they are now getting power from Finland, Sweden, and Poland. This move marks a big step towards energy independence for these countries.
For decades, Russia was the main source of electricity for the Baltic states. But the countries have now fully joined the European power system. This change is a positive development for the region. It makes the countries less dependent on Russia, but it also comes with some challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the rise in electricity prices.
Electricity Prices Go Up
After disconnecting from the Russian grid, electricity prices in the Baltic states have gone up. This is partly because of the weather and rising gas prices. For example, in Estonia, the price of electricity went from €126 per megawatt-hour (MWh) last week to €191 per MWh. This is the highest price in 2025 so far.
Experts say that several factors caused the price increase. First, there was less wind. Wind energy plays a big role in producing electricity in the region. Second, colder temperatures increased the demand for power. Finally, higher gas prices have made electricity more expensive to produce.
Gas prices in Europe are at their highest level in years. Although experts think prices may drop soon, for now, high gas costs are still having an impact.
Challenges with Power Supply
The Baltic region faces challenges with its power supply. These challenges came up after the countries left the Russian grid. Now, the region has fewer energy connections, which makes it harder to get electricity.
One of the main power links between Estonia and Finland, called the Estlink 2 cable, is broken. The cable was damaged in an accident caused by an anchor. This damage has cut off a major energy source. Until the cable is fixed, the region has fewer ways to import power from Finland.
If the Lithuanian-Swedish power cable were working at full capacity, the region’s energy prices would likely be lower. However, this cable is not fully operational at the moment, making the situation even more difficult for the Baltic states.
Work to Fix the Infrastructure
Officials are working on fixing the broken cables. However, repairing the Estlink 2 cable and making the Lithuanian-Swedish cable fully operational will take time. Until the repairs are finished, electricity prices in the Baltic states will likely stay high.
Energy experts say that the region’s power grid needs more upgrades to meet demand. Right now, there are not enough connections to bring in enough energy from neighboring countries.
What Can Be Done?
The Baltic states have made a strong move toward energy independence. But, for now, they are dealing with rising electricity costs. As the region continues to develop its energy systems, experts say that the prices should stabilize.
One way to help bring prices down is to increase the supply of electricity from other countries. If the Estlink 2 cable were repaired, Estonia would be able to import more electricity from Finland. If the Lithuanian-Swedish cable were working at full capacity, that would also help reduce prices in the region.
Governments in the Baltic states are working hard to fix the issues. They know that affordable energy is important for residents and businesses. As they work to improve their energy infrastructure, they hope that prices will come down over time.
The move away from Russian energy is a big step for the Baltic states. It brings them closer to energy independence and strengthens their ties to Europe. But, in the short term, rising electricity prices and infrastructure problems are creating challenges.
The Baltic states are still working on their energy systems. They will need to balance the need for more energy connections with the desire to keep prices low. It will take time, but the goal is to create a more stable and affordable energy market for the region.
In the future, the Baltic states may be able to fully rely on European energy sources. But for now, they must manage the rising costs and supply issues. This is a difficult but important process. As the region continues to improve its energy system, it will become less dependent on Russia and more connected to Europe.
For more information on the Baltic states’ energy shift, visit Newyork Mirror.