Energy, Financial Services, Legislation, Lithuania, Security

NATO ENSEC COE personnel plan to use the support for completing an energy security project – procuring mobile hybrid power generation and its operation systems which will later be handed over to the Lithuanian Armed Forces for military training as an element of rendering Host Nation Support and specialized training and data collection system.

"Mobile hybrid electricity power generation equipment would give an opportunity for the Lithuanian Armed Forces and other NATO countries' militaries familiarize with innovative energy solutions which would improve mobility of military units and significantly cut consumption of energy resources, and so contribute to environmental protection," Director of the Centre of Excellence Colonel Gintaras Bagdonas says.

The project is expected to be implemented by March 2016.

Seeking to attract attention to energy and security challenges in the region Canada also committed financial support to NATO Centres of Excellence in Latvia and Estonia.

The Financial assistance will be allocated under the Global Peace and Security Fund program of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affair, Trade and Development.

The Energy Security Centre in Vilnius was established by the Framework Nations at the NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk (USA) in July 2012. In October 2012 the North Atlantic Council accredited the NATO ENSEC COE as a NATO Centre of Excellence and granted the status of an international military organisation.

Currently, there are 8 partner nations taking part in the NATO ENSEC COE activities: Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Latvia, France and Turkey. In 2015, the United States of America is also expected to join in.

The NATO ENSEC COE is the only NATO institution analysing aspects of military energy efficiency and security and protection on critical energy infrastructure that is permanently operating in Lithuania. The NATO ENSEC COE personnel also provide recommendations and advice on operational energy security, application of alternative energy resources in defence, and development of environment-friendly and efficient military capabilities, arrange and attend training and exercises.