Energy, EU – Baltic States, Lithuania

Vytas Navickas.

Navickas presented the Lithuania"s position on the extension of operation of Ignalina nuclear power plant and on other issues of energy security and its efficiency. The minister also expressed his views on climate change and the folio of energy measures as well as the promotion of the use of energy from renewable energy sources, writes ELTA.

The economy minister underlined that the creation of the joint EU energy market with the integration of isolated regions is the main priority for Lithuania and the best solution to the energy isolation related problems is further expansion of the regional cooperation with the gradual accession to the common EU market. The minister mentioned the project of three Baltic states and Poland to build a new nuclear power plant in Lithuania as well electricity links with Poland and Sweden as examples of regional cooperation.

However, according to the minister, the warranty for the reliable supply of electric energy to the region after the closure of the Unit Two of the Ignalina nuclear power plant till the opening of the new power plant remains a problem. Navickas stressed that the best solution would be to extend the work of the Ignalina power plant by 2009 till the new power plant is built or electricity links are made.

The minister also informed that the biggest energy saving potential in Lithuania lies in buildings sector – about 30%. He claims that modernisation of blocks of flats is one of energy saving examples.