Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Baltic Sea Central to Europe's Energy Strategy
The Baltic Sea has become very important for Europe's energy plans.
For a long time, Europe relied on gas from Russia, but this changed when Russia reduced gas supplies and invaded Ukraine.
Countries around the Baltic Sea, like Poland and Lithuania, had already started building special places to receive gas from other countries.
These places, called LNG terminals, help Europe get gas that doesn't come from Russia.
The Baltic Sea is also important for making energy cleaner.
Countries around the sea are working on using more wind power, hydrogen, and other clean energy sources.
They are also connecting their energy grids to work better together.
This helps Europe use less dirty energy and become more independent in its energy needs.
The Baltic Sea has become a key part of Europe's energy strategy, providing access to non-Russian gas suppliers through LNG terminals and infrastructure.
Countries like Poland and Lithuania invested in LNG terminals before the war in Ukraine, which proved crucial for diversifying gas supply.
The Baltic Sea region is important for decarbonization, with significant potential for offshore wind, hydrogen, and other clean energy sources.
The region accounts for one-third of the EU's CO₂ emissions and energy demand, with countries rapidly increasing renewable capacity.
Expanding interconnectors are knitting national grids together, with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia synchronizing with the EU power system in 2025.
- Who
- Countries bordering the Baltic Sea: Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany
- What
- The Baltic Sea has become a central part of Europe's energy strategy, providing access to non-Russian gas suppliers and contributing to decarbonization efforts
- When
- The shift began with investments in LNG terminals and infrastructure before the war in Ukraine, with further developments planned
- Where
- The Baltic Sea region, including countries bordering the sea
- Why
- To diversify energy supply, reduce dependence on Russian gas, and accelerate decarbonization efforts
- Gas Supply
- Baltic Sea provides access to non-Russian gas suppliers
- LNG Terminals
- Poland's Świnoujście and Lithuania's Klaipėda FSRU
- Infrastructure
- Balticconnector and Baltic Pipe with capacities of 2.6 bcm and 10 bcm respectively
- Offshore Wind Potential
- Estimated at 93 GW in the Baltic Sea
- Decarbonization
- Baltic Sea region accounts for one-third of EU's CO₂ emissions and energy demand
- Renewable Expansion
- Rapid increases in renewable capacity in Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia
- Nuclear Power
- Baltic Sea contributes to the resurgence of nuclear power
- Grid Synchronization
- Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to synchronize with EU power system in 2025