The Government of the Kingdom of Sweden has granted permission for the construction of Harmony Link, Lithuania’s offshore link to Poland, in its exclusive economic zone, Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator Litgrid has announced.

The HVDC cable will run for about 15 kilometres in Sweden’s exclusive economic zone.

“The Swedish government’s approval of Harmony Link is another step forward in the implementation of this important project, which will strengthen market integration. Together with the joint project team of the Polish operator PSE, we have already applied to the Kingdom of Sweden for this permit in 2021. At the very end of last year, it was granted,” said Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Litgrid.

The permit for the construction of offshore electricity transmission cables is required under the provisions of the Continental Shelf Act of the Kingdom of Sweden.

The Harmony Link will allow imports and exports of electricity to the single European electricity market, while at the same time increasing the reliability of our electricity system. The 700 MW, 330 km long link will connect the Darbėnai substation in the Kretinga district of Kretinga and the Żarnowiec substation in the Polish Pomeranian region.

Preparatory work for Harmony Link has been underway since early 2019. For this project, Litgrid is organising the procurement of the cable, while the company’s partners, the Polish operator PSE, are organising the procurement of converter stations. Contracts with the winning bidders are expected to be signed by April this year.

Source: Litgrid