Analytics

In 2016, the largest proportion in the gross inland fuel and energy consumption was made up of crude oil and petroleum products (38.9%). Natural gas accounted for 25.1, renewable energy sources and electricity – 20 and 9.7% respectively; the rest – 6.3% – fell within coal, peat, etc.

In 2016, against 2015, final energy consumption increased by 5%. Among final consumers, transport and household sectors predominated, which consumed, respectively, 38.5 and 28% of energy in 2016. The industrial sector accounted for 18.8% of final energy consumption. In 2016, against 2015, energy consumption in transport sector increased by 6.8, in households – 5.4, in industry – 1.7%.

In the transport sector, the largest portion of consumption was made up of diesel (1.4 mln tonnes), in the household sector – of biofuel (2.47 mln m3) and centrally supplied heat (5.4 terawatt-hours (TWh)).

To satisfy consumer needs, both domestic and imported fuel and energy resources are used. In 2016, imports of fuel and energy resources increased by 2.9 %. The largest increase in imports was observed for electricity, while a decrease – natural gas and petrol products.

Lithuania remains energetically dependent on imported energy. This is best reflected by the energy dependence indicator which stood at 75.3% in 2016 and still considerably exceeded the EU average (in 2015, 54%).

Promotion of use of renewable energy resources (hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal energy, solid biofuel (wood and wood waste, straw), biogas, biofuel and renewable municipal waste is one of the best decisions to satisfy energy need by preserving nature and its resources. The EU objective is producing at least 20% of its total energy from renewable sources by 2020. The objective set for Lithuania – 23% by the year 2020 – was already achieved in 2014 (23.9 %); in 2015, this indicator stood at 25.8% (the EU average – 16.7%).

In 2016, compared to 2015, renewable energy sources production in Lithuania grew by 2.1%.

The greatest renewable energy potential in Lithuania is shown by solid biofuel. In 2016, the largest amount thereof was used for the production of electricity and centralised heat supply (48.4%) and in households (40.1%). In 2016, production of heat by power plants and heat plants which use biofuel increased by 9.3%, while production of electricity from biofuel decreased by 17.6%.

Wind farms expand every year. At the end of 2016, total capacity of the wind farms installed amounted to 509 MW, while at the end of 2015 – 432 MW. In 2016, wind farms produced 1.1 TWh of electricity, or by 40.2% more than in 2015, and accounted for 26.6 % of the total electricity production in the country, or more than 9% of electricity consumed in the country.

In 2016, hydropower plants produced 453.9 mln kWh of electricity, i.e. by almost one-third more than in 2015.

Although solar energy potential is not considerable in Lithuania, electricity produced by solar power plants and supplied to electricity networks amounted to 66.5 mln kWh in 2016 (by 9% less than in 2015).

In 2016, compared to 2015, electricity demand in Lithuania increased by 3.3% and amounted to 12.5 TWh.

In 2016, to satisfy the country’s needs, almost two-thirds of electricity was imported and just one-third (4.3 TWh) of electricity was produced in the country. Compared to 2015, electricity production in the country decreased by 13.5 %. Electricity produced from the renewable energy resources accounted for 49 % of the total electricity produced.

The use of biogas for the production of electricity has been on the increase in recent years. In 2016, electricity produced from biogas amounted to almost 122.7 mln kWh, i.e. by 42.2 % more than 2015.

The use of biofuel reduces environmental pollution. Two kinds of biofuel are used in Lithuania – biodiesel and bioethanol. In 2016, biodiesel and bioethanol consumed in transport amounted to 56.7 thousand and 9.9 thousand tonnes respectively, i.e. against the previous year, biofuel consumption decreased by 17.3%.

In 2016, fuel consumption in road transport amounted to more than 1.7 mln tonnes, of which road diesel accounted for 80.8, motor gasoline – 12.5, liquefied gas – 6.6%. In recent years, diesel fuel has been gaining in popularity: in 2016, compared to 2015, the consumption thereof grew by 8.2%. Motor gasoline demand increased by 5%, while liquefied gas demand decreased by 5.7%.

Concepts

Gross inland fuel and energy consumption refers to the amount of energy required to satisfy consumer needs.

Energy dependence is an indicator showing the extent to which an economy relies upon imports in order to meet its energy needs. It is calculated as net imports divided by the sum of gross inland energy consumption plus bunkers.

Final energy consumption is defined as fuel and energy sup­plied to final consumers: industrial, construction, agricultural and other enterprises and households.