Energy interconnection
between Lithuania and Poland

Environment

During the process of planning line route many environmental, technical aspects and high requirements was analysed. The future’s interconnecion impact on Alytus and Lazdijai muncipalities environment as well as on the environment of Warmia-Mazury and Podlasie voivodships will be known after the Environment Impact Assesment prepared on both sides. Alytus Regional Department of Environmental Protection has approved Environmental Impact Assessment report. On the Polish side works on the report are finalizing

In the Lithuania-Poland interconnection line route planning procedure it is aimed to bypass protected by Nature 2000 programme areas, and keep the technical recuirements in passing through other protected areas.

Natura 2000 is an ecological network of protected areas in the territory of the European Union. Its idea is to protect the most seriously threatened habitats and species across Europe. Two legislations were adopted, which are called the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. These two Directives are the basis for the creation of the Natura 2000 network.

On Lithuanian side, Meteliai regional park lies near to planned line route. The  whole territory of the path is assigned to Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for habitats, and part of the area (lakes of Meteliai, Dusios, Obelija) - to the Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for birds. During the Environmental Impact Assessment, all aspects of the possible impact are previewed to be evaluated, including a more profound analysis concerning the bird environment.

On Polish side, majority of areas in the north-east Poland are assigned to the SACs for habitats, whereas Augustów forest, located on the border of the Augustów plain is assigned to the SPAs for birds. In the forest area there is Wigry National Park, nature reserves and Area of protected landscape – Lake District Sejeńskie. The following territories are assigned to the SACs for habitat: Lake Woszczelskie, peat bog “Złocie”, The Upper Rospuda Valley, Jeleniewo, Augustów Primeval Forest Sanctuary as well as Suwałki and Wigry Forest Sanctuary. During the EIA on Poland side, the possible line building impact on mentioned areas Natura 2000 as well as other protected areas will be assesed. The specificity of the Lithuanian region allows the route not to affect the fertile soil or the protected forested area.