EU Finalizes Major Baltic Gas Interconnections Boosting Regional Energy Security

The European Union completed a suite of CEF Energy‑funded projects to enhance cross‑border gas capacity in the Baltic region. Seven studies and construction or modernization projects were carried out in Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Denmark.

Key installations include the 152‑km Balticconnector pipeline linking Finland and Estonia, financed with about €181 million and operating since 2020; the Baltic Pipe corridor from Norway via Denmark to Poland, launched in 2022 and helping Poland cut reliance on Russian gas; the 508‑km GIPL pipeline between Poland and Lithuania, also operational from 2022, enabling bidirectional gas flow; and the modernization of Latvia’s Inčukalns underground gas storage, funded with more than €44 million to improve injection and withdrawal capacity.

With the gas projects concluded, EU attention shifts to hydrogen and carbon‑capture infrastructure. New funding has been allocated to the Nordic Hydrogen Route (€29.3 million), the Nordic‑Baltic Hydrogen Connector (€6.8 million), the Baltic Sea Hydrogen Connector (€15.2 million) and the CCS Baltic Consortium (€3 million).