The Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator Litgrid has completed the reconstruction of the Viršuliškės substation in Vilnius. The fully renovated station has been connected to Vilnius electricity grid. It will ensure a reliable supply of electricity to the residents of Viršuliškės and Karoliniškės neighbourhoods and businesses: Vilnius University Emergency Hospital, the Lithuanian Radio and TV Centre, the trolleybus fleet UAB Vilniaus Troleibusai and the water supplier AB Vilniaus Vandenys.
The reconstruction of the Viršuliškės substation was carried out to prepare it for connection in 2014 with a new underground power cable, being laid at the construction site of the western bypass of Vilnius.
"It's not a very big job compared with other Litgrid's projects. But it is very important for many residents of Vilnius, their quality of life and housing comfort, so we are happy that we have managed to plan our work and completed the reconstruction in less than a year," pointed out Vidmantas Grušas, head of Litgrid's Transmission Grid Department.
LTL 2.2 million was invested in the reconstruction of the Viršuliškės substation, which was built back in 1970. The work started in the spring of 2012 and all of the substation's equipment was replaced with the new one in less than a year. The reconstruction was carried out in cooperation with the electricity distribution network operator. Efforts were made to ensure that the residents and offices of the neighbouring areas did not experience power disruptions.
Lithuanian power transmission grid, which is nearly four decades old, is ageing and needs to be renewed regularly. Every year 4-5 substations undergo reconstruction and the same number of renovated stations is connected to the electricity transmission grid. Currently more than 40 various power transmission objects are being built and renovated across Lithuania.
Litgrid is in charge of the expansion and renovation of the national power transmission network and the implementation of strategic power projects – building international power interconnections NordBalt and LitPol Link to link Lithuania with Sweden and Poland – and is responsible for the integration of the Lithuanian power system into the European continental network and the common European electricity market.