Energy companies in the Baltic countries are starting preparations for disconnecting their electricity supply networks from Russian networks and connecting to the European energy system, reports Postimees.

President of Eesti Energia Concern Sandor Liive told reporters today that a survey regarding change of the energy supply system were held in 1998 and it proved that the plan is plausible.

Now the Baltic countries? energy companies need to conduct additional research to examine technical aspects. After that Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia would issue an application to join the European electricity supply system. According to Liive, it will cost about 500 mln euro for the Baltic countries to join it. The sum includes construction of two new power bridges between Lithuania and Poland as well as investment into the power stations that are already functioning in the area.

At the same time, the Baltic nations are to decide how much power connections with Russia they will preserve to continue electricity commerce with the Eastern neighbor, Liive added.

Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip announced that the Baltic countries need to put an end to isolation from EU countries by developing ties in energy and transport.
sections: Economics