Grid operators plan Baltic WindConnector between Germany and Estonia

Grid operators from Germany, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania agreed to strengthen their cooperation at the Baltic Offshore Wind Forum in Berlin on Tuesday as part of a push for energy security after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

At the forum, German transmission system operator 50Hertz and its Estonian counterpart Elering signed a letter of intent for the potential constitution of a joint hybrid submarine cable between Estonia and Germany. The so-called Baltic WindConnector will be about 750 kilometres (466 miles) long and will have a capacity of up to 2,000 MW, according to statements by the companies.

Hybrid interconnectors have a dual function of connecting offshore wind farms to the shore and linking countries to one another.

"Cooperation with the Baltic states and their stronger connection to the continental European electricity system is important for a climate-neutral Europe and also of great significance in terms of security policy,” said 50Hertz chief executive Stefan Kapferer.

In a speech delivered at the event, Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock pointed out that the Baltic Sea has an estimated wind potential of over 93 GW.

“Instead of North Stream, we are building Baltic power together – also for our security,” she said, while admitting that Germany was too dependent on Russian energy for too long.

In the wake of the war in Ukraine, efforts have intensified in Europe to cooperate on offshore wind and the creation of meshed offshore grids. Recently, nine countries committed to about 120 GW of offshore wind capacity in the North Seas by 2030 and at least 300 GW by 2050.

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