Energy, Gas, Latvia, Lithuania, Transport

Rokas Masiulis and Dana Reizniece-Ozola. Klaipeda, 27.08.2015. Photo: enmin.lt

"Lithuanian and Latvian companies are discussing supplying gas, thus the economy minister arrived to see Lithuania's terminal for herself," said Lithuania's Energy Minister Rokas Masiulis.

He says full potential of the LNG terminal towards the direction of Latvia will be utilised when gas pipeline Klaipeda-Kiemenai is completed in several months. "() In any case, we have the LNG terminal that guaranteed energy security for the whole region, including Latvia, Estonia and Belarus. The existing infrastructure is already reducing prices. Last year gas prices in Lithuania decreased," said Masiulis.

During her visit to Lithuania yesterday, a serious offer was made for gas to be supplied to joint-stock power utility company Latvenergo, Economy Minister Dana Reizniece-Ozola (Greens/Farmers) told Latvian Television this morning.

She emphasized that large consumers already have the opportunity to purchase has from other suppliers, and this is because of the recently opened liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Klaipeda.

LETA also reported, earlier this year, the government approved the motion to break up the Latvian gas supply company Latvijas Gaze, ensuring the liberalization of the Latvian gas market from 2017.

The aim of the liberalization plan is to enhance the country's energy security, as well as allow third-parties access to the gas pipeline system, thus increasing competition in the gas market.