Baltic states and Poland: EU focuses on allies with significant energy infrastructure funding

The Baltic states and Poland are strategically positioned as crucial hubs for European Union security and energy infrastructure, receiving substantial EU funding to bolster their resilience. Marius Vaščega, head of the European Commission's representation in Lithuania, highlighted that the allocated funds aim to continue ongoing projects like energy synchronization and gas interconnector developments.

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The funds are intended to continue what we started. Recently, a synchronization project, natural gas interconnector projects took place; we usually hear about them when the ribbon is cut, or when something bad happens. But to be resilient against various threats and to continue these connections, and the European Union is taking care of that. Money is allocated for the development and protection of critical energy infrastructure. The European Union has also contributed to a large part of the energy projects that have already been implemented in Lithuania, the Baltic states, and Europe.

Vaščega emphasized that the EU's focus extends beyond physical infrastructure to include societal resilience. He noted that the Baltic region, particularly Lithuania, serves as a model for achieving this, with potential to transfer successful practices to other European countries. The interconnected nature of Europe's energy systems means that supporting regional initiatives is vital for the continent's overall stability.

Andrius Šemeškevičius, head of "Litgrid," outlined Lithuania's ongoing and planned projects to strengthen its energy infrastructure. Given Lithuania's geographical position and extensive interconnections with neighboring countries, it bears significant responsibility. Projects involving multiple countries' interests receive higher priority for funding, making the Baltic states and Poland key beneficiaries of resilience measures.

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The European Commission's goal is to achieve not only physical infrastructure but also societal resilience. And the Baltic states are becoming an example today of how this can be done and even transfer good practices to other European countries. Lithuania is showing the way forward.

Šemeškevičius detailed Lithuania's first resilience program, valued at approximately 150 million euros, which encompasses around 70 sites and 15 distinct initiatives. These measures range from perimeter surveillance and alarm systems for substations to anti-drone technologies, ensuring timely detection and response to potential threats.

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Our geographical position is such that we represent essentially all the Baltic states, and synchronization with continental Europe took place precisely through Lithuania, through the Polish connection. So Latvia and Estonia are heavily dependent on us. When it comes to European support, priority is given to projects related to the interests of several countries. Thus, the financing of resilience measures for the Baltic states and Poland received higher priority.