Analytics, Baltic States – CIS, Energy, Energy Market, EU – Baltic States, Lithuania, Russia

International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 29.03.2024, 00:58

Lithuania to start lacking power in 10 years

BC, Vilnius, 18.10.2016.Print version
Lithuania will start lacking electricity in just over a decade and power interconnections will not be enough, if no changes are made, says Energy Minister Rokas Masiulis, adding that the country should consider construction of gas-powered or nuclear plants, reported LETA/BNS.

Speaking at the Lithuanian Energy Conference on Tuesday, Masiulis said that the electricity shortcoming in Lithuania may be over 500 megawatts in 2030. Currently, the electricity surplus is 4.7 megawatts, including the capacity of all electricity interconnections and production capacities.

The energy minister said that Lithuania's energy needs will swell from 500 MW to 2,450 MW in 2030, however, capacities of power links will decline, thus pulling down imports volumes. In his words, the 700 MW electricity interconnection with Sweden, NordBalt, is the only reliable link.


The 1,300 MW power interconnections with Belarus will have to be closed down, as the neighboring country is building an unsafe utility in Astravyets, said Masiulis, adding that Russia should also not be viewed as a reliable partner, therefore, Lithuania should not count on electricity imports from Kaliningrad via the 600 MW link.


Furthermore, in his words, Estonia is considering to become an electricity importing country, which would mean that power from Finland via Estonia and Latvia would no longer reach Lithuania. Masiulis said that the LitPol Link interconnection with Poland cannot be given a positive mark in the long-term perspective, as Poland's conduct amid link restriction is still unclear.


In the minister's words, the Lithuanian power production capacities operating at the maximum of 2,253 MW will decline to 1,200 MW, if no new projects are launched. Therefore, the power deficit in Lithuania will be 500 MW.


In separate periods, Lithuania has been importing up to 80% of electricity. According to data provided by Litgrid, the country imported an average of 66% of power consumed in the country last year.

 






Search site