Baltic TSOs join Europe’s PICASSO platform
Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia launch new cross-border reserve services for efficient grid balancing after connecting to the Continental European grid.
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The Baltic states: Just over two months after synchronising with the Continental European power grid, the transmission system operators (TSOs) of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – Litgrid, Augstsprieguma tīkls, and Elering – have launched new reserve services through Europe’s PICASSO platform.
PICASSO, short for Platform for the International Coordination of Automated Frequency Restoration and Stable System Operation, allows participating countries to exchange balancing energy. The platform matches energy supply and demand across borders, enhancing real-time grid stability. Market participants can submit balancing offers using technologies such as energy storage, wind and solar power, or flexible electricity consumption.
According to Litgrid’s System Management Head, Donatas Matelionis, the launch of automatic frequency restoration reserve (aFRR) services marks a major milestone. These cross-border exchanges within the Baltic balancing capacity market support more efficient energy management and strengthen electricity system security.
The Baltic TSOs joined PICASSO in March and April 2025, shortly after disconnecting from the Russian-controlled IPS/UPS grid and synchronising with the Continental European system on 9 February. This connection supports stable frequency regulation across a network that serves over 400 million people in 26 countries.
Since joining PICASSO, the Baltic region began procuring aFRR balancing energy on 10 April and launched capacity procurement services on 15 April, enhancing their integration into Europe’s energy market.
Source: Smart Energy International
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