Energy, EU – Baltic States, Gas, Good for Business, Legislation, Lithuania

Lithuanian Energy Minister Zygimantas Vaiciunas says that the countries have entered the project implementation phase following intense negotiations. 

"GIPL is one of the most important projects in the country's energy sector, as it paves the way to integrate the gas transmission systems of Lithuania as well as the Baltic States into the common European gas market. It also secures another alternative gas supply source, economic benefit and security of energy supply to all partners involved," the minister said in a press release. 

Amber Grid CEO Saulius Bilys said that the project will offer Baltic and Finnish consumers "a bigger choice of natural gas supply and prices" and will open up new prospects for cooperation for natural gas market participants.

Following the signing of the grid connection agreement, "international tenders will be announced for contractors and purchase of pipes," Amber Grid said in the press release.

According to the company, the total length of the gas pipeline will be around 500 kilometers, including 165 kilometers on the Lithuanian side. The new capacities will allow transporting up 27 terawatt-hours (TWh) of gas to the Baltic countries and up to 22 TWh to Poland annually. 

Construction on the GIPL in Lithuania is planned to be started in March 2019 and be completed in December 2021.