Lithuania's energy strategy: more production, consumption, hydrogen, nuclear energy

VILNIUS - Lithuania should produce and consume 74 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in 2050 and become an exporter of energy products, including hydrogen, according to the country's updated National Energy Independence Strategy.

Drafted by the Energy Ministry, the document foresees the possibility of developing low-power nuclear reactors in the country beyond 2030. 

"After the implementation of this strategy, we want to see Lithuania as a country that is fully self-sufficient in terms of green energy at an affordable price and that exports it. (...) Both our national security and the prosperity of our country depend on it," Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys said on Wednesday, presenting the strategy at the Seimas Committee on Economics. 

In his words, the import of energy resources and increased electricity production remain Lithuania's key energy challenges.

"We still import most of our energy resources, including gas and oil. This affects national security, the green course and decarbonization," Kreivys pointed out.

Under the ministry's scenario, onshore wind farms (28.1 TWh), offshore wind farms (18.8 TWh), nuclear reactors (11.2 TWh), and solar power plants (9.5 TWh) are expected to generate the most electricity in 2050. 

Meanwhile, hydrogen (35.5 TWh) and the rest of industry (12.6 TWh) and transport (6.3 TWh) are expected to be the largest consumers of electricity in 2050. 

Litgrid data shows that Lithuania produced almost 5.7 TWh of electricity last year and consumed 11.1 TWh. 

DECISION ON NUCLEAR POWER BY 2030

The strategy also envisages the development of nuclear power through the construction of small power reactors.

Kreivys says the so-called fourth-generation reactors are safer than those built in the past, and nuclear energy would reduce the burden on industry and consumers of maintaining the energy system.

"We all will need to make a decision after assessing the development of this technology. If we want to have a reactor around 2040, we will have to make a decision in around 2028-2030. (...) We will see very clear costs and all the pros and cons, but this decision is a very important part of our strategy so that we can start following those technologies," Kreivys said.

He also stressed that Lithuania would see a significant increase in hydrogen demand in the future, compared to the other Baltic countries. 

"We have huge demand for hydrogen, which is not the case in the other Baltic countries. We have the biggest industrial sector, we use hydrogen. And we have Achema, Orlen in Mazeikiai, Akmenes Cementas and so on," the energy minister pointed out.

"The ability to use hydrogen will be the strategic component that will allow us to become the energy hub of the Baltic states, through which the main flows of all products will move to the industrial hubs," the minister added.