(Bloomberg) -- The power grids of Ukraine and Moldova have been synchronized with the continental European network on a trial basis, grid association Entsoe said in statement.
It follows an urgent request from Ukrainian and Moldovan grid operators late last month to accelerate the process that started in 2017. The decision to start trial operations comes after Entsoe ensured it was technically possible and secure for the overall power system to do so.
The synchronization with Europe won't necessarily lead to more imports, but will make the Ukrainian grid independent from Russia and technically linked with the same frequency as the rest of continental Europe. The process initiated together with the Baltic states was previously expected to take place by 2023 at the earliest.
“This will help Ukraine to keep their electricity system stable, homes warm and lights on during these dark times,” European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said in a statement.
Ukraine cut its power connection with Russia and Belarus on Feb. 24, the first day of the war. Since then it has been able to keep its grid stable even as Russian troops shelled and seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and took control of the defunct Chernobyl site.
Also see: Europe Urges Fast Action on Ukrainian Nuclear Plants' Safety
“This step will give Ukraine the opportunity to receive electricity” if power infrastructure is destroyed, said Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, chairman of the management board at grid manager Ukrenergo.
The emergency connection with Europe could provide around two gigawatts of backup capacity to Ukraine's fleet of power plants, BloombergNEF said in a research note earlier this week.
Read More: BNEF on Russia-Ukraine War's Power Market Impact
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