Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Lithuania Plans Fortified Power Substation Near Russia Amid Threats
Lithuania is building an important electricity station called Gizai.
It will help connect the Baltic countries’ power systems to Poland and the rest of Europe.
The station will be near Russia’s Kaliningrad region, an area considered strategically sensitive.
Because of concerns about drones and sabotage, the station will have strong fences, sensors and specially reinforced concrete shelters.
Some equipment will be duplicated so the station can keep working if part of it is damaged.
Lithuania says these protections will cost at least €48 million more than originally planned.
Lithuania and Poland want the European Union to help pay for the extra security.
Russia has denied involvement in sabotage attacks that Germany blamed on Moscow.
Lithuania plans to fortify the future Gizai substation against drones, sabotage and other threats.
The substation will support Harmony Link, connecting Baltic power grids with Poland and western Europe.
Gizai will be built about 30 kilometers west of Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave near the Suwalki Gap.
Security measures include reinforced fencing, tunnel sensors, duplicate equipment and concrete shelters for transformers.
Lithuania estimates the added security will cost at least €48 million and is seeking substantial European Union funding.
- Who
- Lithuania’s state grid operator Litgrid, supported by the Lithuanian military, is developing the project; Polish and Lithuanian officials are seeking European Union funding.
- What
- A future power substation will receive extensive physical protection against drones, explosives and sabotage.
- When
- The plans were reported on September 22; the substation is planned as part of the future Harmony Link connection.
- Where
- At Gizai, about 30 kilometers west of Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave, along the strategically sensitive Suwalki Gap area.
- Why
- To protect a crucial electricity link after the Baltic states disconnected from Russia’s grid and amid concerns about military drones and sabotage.
Lithuania and Poland
European Union funding position
Who should pay for security?
Lithuania and Poland
Lithuanian and Polish officials argue that the additional security costs should not fall solely on countries bordering Russia, because the infrastructure supports the wider European energy system.
European Union funding position
The European Commission had not responded to Reuters’ request for comment; earlier funding covered €112 million of a €382 million request for securing existing grid infrastructure.
Nature of the threat
Lithuania and Poland
Regional officials and intelligence sources cited concerns about sabotage, military drones and a possible Russian false-flag operation intended to test NATO unity.
European Union funding position
Russia denied involvement in sabotage attacks against Germany’s electricity grid, which Berlin had blamed on Moscow.
- Project
- Gizai substation, a key node of the Harmony Link interconnection
- Site size
- Approximately 35 hectares
- Location
- About 30 kilometers west of Kaliningrad
- Added security cost
- At least €48 million above the earlier estimate
- Planned defenses
- Reinforced fencing, tunnel-detection sensors, duplicate equipment and reinforced-concrete shelters
- Funding request
- Lithuania plans to ask the European Union to cover at least half of the Gizai costs
- Previous European Union support
- The Baltic states and Poland requested €382 million for existing-grid security and received €112 million