In 2024, "Augstsprieguma tīkls", based on the conducted studies on the need to strengthen the transmission grid in Kurzeme, has begun work on the project "Construction of the 330 kV power transmission line Ventspils - Brocēni - Varduva".
The planned high-voltage electricity transmission line "Ventspils (LV) – Brocēni (LV) – Telšiai / Varduva (LT)" will increase the security of electricity supply in Latvia and stability of Latvian power system, the energy independence of the Baltic States and will allow to connect larger amount of renewable energy sources (RES) to the transmission network, reducing the electricity price in Latvia in the future. To minimize the impact of the line on the environment and land properties, the new electricity transmission line is primarily planned within the existing 110 kV line corridors, constructing 110 kV and 330 kV lines on common pylons. The exact route of the transmission line will be determined during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.
Currently, there is a huge interest for connections to the transmission network from RES developers, which in turn requires reinforcement of the existing electricity transmission network. The greatest RES potential in Latvia is in Kurzeme region. It is more profitable to develop wind power plants both onshore and offshore in this region due to the prevailing wind potential. Virtually all electricity transmission network available capacities have already been reserved by potential developers for connecting new power plants, but AS "Augstsprieguma tīkls" (AST) as the Transmission System Operator (TSO), responsible for the security and stability of the power system, still see significant interest in connecting new generation capacities. One of the ways to connect a larger amount of RES to the electricity transmission network is to reinforce the network, including the construction of interconnections with neighbouring countries and internal lines. According to the long-term development plans of AST, reinforcement is implemented by reconstructing the existing transmission network, increasing its transmission capacity, or by building new lines and interconnections.
In 2023, AST, together with the Lithuanian TSO "Litgrid" conducted several technical studies on the transmission network capability and possibilities of modernizing the electricity transmission network in both countries. There was taken into account the development trends of RES and electricity consumption in both countries. Extensive network and market modelling confirmed that reinforcement of Latvian and Lithuanian electricity transmission networks is essential prerequisite for the future growth of RES and electricity consumption.
The new 330 kV electricity transmission line "Ventspils (LV) – Brocēni (LV) – Telšiai / Varduva (LT)" is one of the projects that will reinforce the electricity transmission network of Latvia and the Baltic States and allow to connect larger volumes of RES, reducing electricity price in the future.
The planned project is the precondition of future development of additional interconnection between Estonia and Latvia and will allow the connection of planned high-power onshore and offshore wind farms in Kurzeme, as well as increase the security and stability of Latvia's electricity supply, the energy independence of the Baltic States and will drive further liberalization of the electricity market.
The Lithuanian TSO "Litgrid" has also launched the research activities related to the Latvia-Lithuania interconnection development, ensuring the connection in Lithuania at either Telšiai or Varduva substations. The final decision on the connection point in Lithuania will be made in the later stages of the project.
The new 330 kV electricity transmission line "Ventspils (LV) – Brocēni (LV) – Telšiai/Varduva (LT)" is planned to be constructed mainly in the corridors of the existing 110 kV power transmission line "Ventspils – Kuldīga – Brocēni" and partly in the corridors of the line "Brocēni – Priekule". These lines were built in the last century in accordance with the electricity consumption and generation needs of that time and should be fully replaced with a new, increased capacity line in order to ensure a higher total electricity flow in the Baltic region. The reconstruction of the existing lines in the territory of Latvia and the further construction of a new Latvia-Lithuania interconnection will reinforce the electricity transmission network of Latvia and the whole Baltic region and will allow connecting a larger amount of RES, reducing the price of electricity in Latvia in the future.
The plan envisages reconstruction of the 110 kV electricity transmission lines into combined 110/330 kV lines in the stage from Ventspils city to Baltaiskrogs (Zaņa parish, Saldus municipality). A new 330 kV line is planned from Baltaiskrogs to the state border in the direction of Varduva (Lithuania). The technical solution of the electricity transmission line will be specified during the preparation stage of the technical design of the line.
The project also includes the extension of the 330 kV substation “Ventspils” or the construction of a new substation in Ventspils, close to the port region. It is planned to install two new connection bays within the reconstruction of the 330 kV substation “Brocēni” in order to connect the new 330 kV overhead electricity transmission lines (Ventspils – Brocēni and Brocēni – Varduva) or to construct a new substation in Novadnieki parish. The construction of a new 330 kV substation “Ziras” is intended for the connections of the 330 kV electricity transmission lines Ventspils – Ziras, Ziras – Grobiņa and Ziras – Brocēni, as well as for potential connections of offshore wind farms to the Latvian electricity transmission grid and connection of new high voltage offshore cables in future.
The project has significance at the Latvian, Lithuanian and European levels, therefore it is included in the all transmission network development documents on Latvian and European level – the Latvian Electricity Transmission System Development Plan, the Latvian Transmission System Operator’s Annual Statement, the ENTSO-E 10-Year Network Development Plan, as well as in the European list of projects of common interest (PCI). The inclusion in the TYNDP and in the PCI list is one of the preconditions for the receiving of European co-financing.
The project consists of the several stages, listed below. EIA is one of the first steps of project developments.
On September 2, 2024, AST submitted the application to the Environment State Bureau (ESB) (since February 1, 2025 – Energy and Environment Agency, EEA) for the initial EIA of the intended action "The construction of the 330 kV electricity transmission line Ventspils (LV) – Brocēni (LV) – Varduva/Telšiai (LT) on the territory of Latvia".
On September 20, 2024, the ESB issued Decision No. 5-02-1/49/2024 for the full EIA procedure for the line "Ventspils - Brocēni - Varduva".
Since the planned activity may affect cross-border nature, in accordance with the legislation, information about the planned activity was translated into English and sent to the Lithuanian competent authority.
The initial public discussions of the planned activity were done in November 2024 in Ventspils, Kuldiga and Saldus municipalities, informing the meeting participants about the technical nature of the planned Project and further development steps, as well as answering the questions raised by the participants. Evaluated the information provided by AST on the accomplished public discussions, ESB on January 10, 2025 issued EIA Programme No. 5-03/1/2025 for the planned activity for the environmental impact assessment of the construction of a new 330 kV electricity transmission line Ventspils (LV)–Brocēni (LV)–Varduva/Telši (LT) in the territory of Latvia. Concurrently, ESB identified procedural shortcomings regarding the publication of information on relevant websites and informing the society, and with January 10, 2025 decision No. 5-01/35/2025 "On possible violation of the right of public participation in the initial public consultation of the environmental impact of the planned activity of AS "Augstsprieguma tīkls"", obliged AST to repeat initial public discussions in the municipalities.
The repeated initial public discussions took place from February 28 to April 4, 2025. Public discussions were organised in Saldus municipality on March 13, Kuldīga municipality on March 20, Ventspils municipality and Ventspils city on March 24.
AST announced procurement procedure "Environmental Impact assessment consultancy service of the 330 kV transmission line Ventspils (LV) – Brocēni (LV) – Varduva/Telši (LT) construction in territory of Latvia" on January 16, 2025. According to the results of the procurement, the contract was signed with the international consulting company SIA "Estonian, Latvian & Lithuanian Environment" for the EIA study.
Interested persons can get acquainted with the prepared materials and obtain information about the project:
- On the website of AS "Augstsprieguma tīkls" https://www.ast.lv/en/transmission-network-projects/Ventspils-Varduva
- At the local governments of Ventspils city, Ventspils municipality, Kuldīga municipality and Saldus municipality and on the websites of local governments
- At the Energy and Environment Agency: website www.eva.gov.lv, address Rūpniecības iela 23, Rīga, LV-1045 , phone +67321173, e-mail [email protected]
EIA of the project will be caried out with financial support from European Recovery and Resilience Facility plan RePowerEU funds.
September 2, 2024: AST application to ESB;
September 20, 2024: ESB decision on the EIA procedure;
November 2024: initial public discussions;
January 10, 2025: issuance of EIA Programme and decision on the repeated initial public discussions;
January 2025: announced procurement for the EIA study;
February 28 – April 4, 2025: repeated initial public discussion;
May 6, 2025: the contract signed for conducting EIA study;
EIA Report development and line route determination – tentatively April, 2026;
Public consultation on the EIA Report – April - May, 2026;
Energy and Environment Agency approval of the EIA Report – May - June, 2026;
Granting the status of the national interest object;
Construction design – from 2027 to 2028;
Construction and commissioning – from 2028 to 2032.