Ukraine's disconnection expected to have no effect on Belarusian power grid

MINSK, 4 February (BelTA) – Ukraine's decision to turn off transboundary power lines will not affect the operation of the Belarusian power grid, the press service of the Belarusian Energy Ministry told BelTA.

In line with bilateral agreements signed by the national power grid operating companies the Ukrainian side coordinated its actions with the Belarusian side as per established procedure. The Ukrainian side informed Belarus that the lines will be turned off on 24-26 February 2022.

The source reminded that in April 2021 Belarus successfully tested the operation of the power grid after disconnecting the transboundary power lines that link the country with Lithuania. The test was arranged in order to check the reliable operation of the Belarusian power grid taking into account plans of the Baltic states to withdraw from the BRELL power ring, which unites Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

The test demonstrated the technical ability of the Belarusian power grid to operate without a link to the Lithuanian power grid. The test confirmed that the technical measures designed to improve the reliability of power supply to power nodes near the border are sufficient, including during repair campaigns.