The State Office of Construction Control has commissioned the newly built 330 kV electricity transmission line from Riga CHP-2 to Riga HPP, as well as the reconstructed sections of the existing 330 kV line from Riga CHP-2 to Salaspils substation.

The project implemented by the Latvian transmission system operator JSC Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST) is one of the steps towards the synchronization of the Baltic electricity networks with continental Europe, it increases the reliability of electricity supply and transit capacity of the Latvian transmission network, as well as improves the urban environment in the town of Salaspils, since the overhead electricity transmission line built in the sixties of the last century, has been rebuilt into underground cable.

"The new line is one of the prerequisites for Latvia's synchronization of electricity networks with continental Europe - it is an important reinforcement of Latvia's internal network, which will enable the new Estonia-Latvia third interconnection, which will be completed this year, to achieve its full technical performance. Both these electricity transmission lines will improve the reliability of supply and electricity transit capacity in Latvia, as well as will allow to make full use of the advantages of the electricity market by supplying cheaper electricity to Latvian consumers from neighbouring countries,", says Mr. Varis Boks, Chairman of the Board of AST.

"Salaspils is and will be a region of energy and energy sector professionals! Historically, the high-voltage line located in the central part of Salaspils was splitting it, not allowing to improve this part of the town. As a result of successful cooperation between "Augstsprieguma tikls "and Salaspils municipality, this project has significantly improved the urban environment in the town of Salaspils", said Mr. Raimonds Čudars, Chairman of Salaspils District Council.

"Congratulations to AST and LET on the completion of the Riga CHP-2 - Riga HPP line which will reinforce the internal 330kV transmission network and ensure a stable and reliable operation of the Estonia-Latvia third interconnection, one of the key cross-border infrastructure projects in the region. The implementation of energy infrastructure projects requires the involvement of many stakeholders, many coordination efforts, high political will and quick decision-making. The hard work and dedication of our beneficiaries has allowed us to witness the completion of this project and many others. At INEA, we look forward to a continued and fruitful cooperation on ongoing and future projects," said Mr. Dirk Beckers, Director of the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA).

The total project costs are 14.58 million euros, of which 10.66 million euros have been used for the construction of the line, the reconstruction of the substation of Riga CHP-2 has cost 0.55 million euros, but the reconstruction of the substation at the Riga HPP - 3.37 million euros. The project has received 50% co-financing from the Connecting Europe Facility.

The total length of the new line is 12.83 km: the exit from Riga CHP-2 has been built in the form of underground cables with the length of 1.49 km, then an overhead line with the length of 6.41 km until the railway lines in Salaspils has been built. Further on, in the town of Salaspils, the 2 km long line has been built in the form of underground cables until the motorway roundabout at the Riga HPP reservoir, but to the Riga HPP substation the line is built as an overhead line with the length of 2.85 km. In total, 28 supports have been built for the new line. The construction of the line was started in 2019 and completed this summer, the construction works on behalf of AST were performed by SIA "Energoremonts Rīga".

Under the framework of the project the existing electricity transmission line from Riga CHP-2 to Salaspils substation has also been reconstructed: from Riga CHP-2 it was built on a common 6.41 km long section with the new overhead line, while the further 1.43 km long section within the town of Salaspils from the railway lines to Gaismas Street is rebuilt as an underground cable line. Thus, improving the urban environment in Salaspils by demolishing the overhead electricity transmission line built in the 1960s. In total, five supports of the old line have been dismantled within Salaspils area.

Considering the significance of the project, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted the project with a status of an object of national interest. Granting of the status of an object of national interest is a way for the state to implement its political decisions regarding the planned state-wide developments in the energy field and the fulfilment of the international commitments made by the state.

The map of the new electricity transmission line can be found on the AST website here.