Supply: Energy Sources
Electricity
Structure of power sector
Key data:
Installed generation capacity: 5030 MW | ||
|---|---|---|
of which | thermal: | 2556 MW |
| nuclear: | 1300 MW |
| hydro: | 1027 MW |
| others: | 146 MW |
Power Plants in Lithuania
| installed capacity |
|---|---|
Ignalina NPP | 1300 MW |
Lithuanian CHP | 1800 MW |
Vilnius CHP | 372 MW |
Kaunas CHP | 170 MW |
Mazeikiai CHP | 160 MW |
Klaipeda CHP | 11 MW |
Panevezys CHP | 35 MW |
| |
Industrial power plants | 147 MW |
with biomass | 19 MW |
with wind power | 52 MW |
| |
Kruonis HPS HPP | 900 MW |
Kaunas HPP | 100 MW |
Other HPP | 29MW |
Total: | 5095 MW |
Nuclear Power Plants
The first Unit of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant was decommissioned in December 2004, Unit 2 as of December 2009. An objective of the National Energy Strategy is to put into operation a new regional nuclear power plant no later than 2015 in order to satisfy the needs of the Baltic countries and the region in particular.
In 2007 the Law on the new Nuclear Power Plant was approved by the Lithuanian Parliament. In 2008 it was amended. The validity of some particular provisions of the Law were suspended by the Constitution Court. This Law has generated huge disputes and reactions in the society at large, mainly because of the proposed structure of the National Investor, which is the newly established company "LEO LT". LEO LT shareholders are electricity transmission system operator AB "Lietuvos energija" and two electricity distribution system operators - AB "VST" and AB "Rytu skirstomieji tinklai". The biggest dispute was in reference to the question if a private company AB "VST" can participate in a national high importance project. [PRIS, EU Commission]
Production of Electricity in 2006 according to energy sources in Lithuania, as compared to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Austria and the European Union 15
Per Capita Consumption of Electricity since 1988 in Lithuania, as compared to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Austria and the European Union 15
There is a trend visible in the EU, that the demand for electricity is increasing more quickly than the total demand for energy. From the countries of Central and Eastern Europe shown in this figure, so far only Slovenia shows this trend.
Electricity balance - 2007 | TWh | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
GROSS PRODUCTION | 13.68 | 100.0 | |
Hydro | 0.97 | 7.07 | |
Nuclear | 9.83 | 71.91 | |
Wind | 0 | 0 | |
Thermal, of which | 2.87 | 21.01 | |
| ex-coal | 0 | 0 |
ex-oil | 0.16 | 1.15 | |
ex-gas | 2.47 | 18.05 | |
ex-biomass | 0.01 | 0.05 | |
NET PRODUCTION | 12.51 | 91.48 | |
Imports | 5.84 | 42.74 | |
Exports | -7.22 | -52.77 | |
Transport, distribution losses | 0 | 0 | |
TOTAL CONSUMPTION | 9.14 | 66.86 | |
Energy Sector Consumption | 2.26 | 16.52 | |
FINAL CONSUMPTION | 8.14 | 59.52 | |
| industry | 2.91 | 21.26 |
transport | 0.06 | 0.44 | |
households. services | 5.17 | 37.82 | |
Electricity production in Lithuania according to energy sources in 2007
Electricity grid
Lithuania has the following high voltage electricity connections:
- 4×330 kV and 3×110 kV lines with Latvian electricity system;
- 5×330 kV and 7×110 kV lines with Byelorussian system;
- 3×330 kV and 3×110 kV lines with Kaliningrad region
A 400 kV high-voltage line is jointly planned with Poland, which would be the last chain to the Baltic Ring: Lithuania is member of The Baltic Ring Electricity Co-operation Committee, BALTREL.
From 2007 onwards Lithuania (through Estonia and Latvia) was able to import or export electricity to the Scandinavian electricity market (NordPool market). The 350 MW link between Finland and Estonia was established in 2007.
The strategic objectives of the National Energy Strategy stipulate to connect Lithuania’s high tension electricity networks with the networks of the Scandinavian countries (Sweden) and Poland. [ Eurelectric, National Energy Strategy ]
Oil and Natural Gas
Oil
Gross consumption of crude oil, in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 amounted to approx. 8000 thous. tonnes. In 2007 the consumption decreased almost half to 4 742 thous. tonnes. The oil is refined in the Mazeikai refinery (total capacity: 13 Mt/a). Lithuania imports its crude oil maily from Russia.
In 1999, a new oil terminal, Butinge Nafta, was commissioned. It was criticised by the neighbor Latvia and by ecologists because of the risks of escapes. The new terminal allows Lithuania to diversify imports and also to export to Western Europe. [State Enterprise Energy Agency]
Gas
All natural gas is imported from Russia. The imports have decreased from over 5 Gm3 in 1995 to approximately 3.5 Gm3 in 2007.
The gas network Minsk-Vilnius with a capacity of 8 Gm3 per year is connected with Latvia, and also supplies the Russian region of Kaliningrad.The gas grid directly supplies almost 40% of the households as well as half of the urban heating plants. The households are equipped with gas meters since the late 1990s.
Until the expected closure of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in 2009, gas covers around 25-30 % of Lithuania’s energy needs. Afterwards the share of natural gas will increase significantly. [Enerdata]
Coal and lignite
Coal
Lithuania imports very little amounts of coal, which is primarily consumed by the residential and service sector.
Peat
Peat is used as an energy source especially in the heat sector.
Renewable energy
The National Energy Strategy adopted in 2007 set the main targets for the utilisation of renewable energy:
- RES must be 20% in the primary energy balance by 2025.
- Increase in the share of RES in primary energy balance by 1.5% each year until 2012.
- To increase the share of biofuels (for transport) up to 20% by 2025.
- Decommissioning of the NPP Ignalina and shut down of unit 2 in 2009.
- To increase the share of the electricity generated by combined heat and power plants during the heating period in the national balance of electricity generation up to 35% in 2025.
- To save 9% of final energy over the period of 9 years in comparison with the level of final energy consumption in 2005. [National Energy Strategy]
Hydropower
Current Status
Hydropower is the main renewable energy source for power production. Lithuania has a total installed capacity in Hydropower of 1029MW – 900 MS in Kruonis HPP, 100 MW in the HPP in Kaunas, and 29MW in small HPPs. [Lithuanian Energy Institute]
Hydro Energy Resource Potential
Due to the topographical conditions, the potential for Hydropower is rather low. Most of the potential is concentrated on the Nemunas River. The economically feasible potential is estimated at 2.2 billion kWh/year. In addition, a more extensive utilisation of hydropower resources for electricity generation is limited by the list of ecologically and culturally valuable rivers approved by a resolution of the government of the Republic of Lithuania.
Bioenergy
Current Status of Biomass Energy
In Lithuania the main installations for heat production form RES are biomass (wood, chips, wood waste, straw, biogas).
Until the mid-1990s, wood was used for heating in households in stoves with little efficiency. Since 1994, waste wood and wood chips are used as fuel for district heating boilers with capacities over 1 MW. Total installed capacity of these boilers amounts to 120 MW.
Also, straw is being used as fuel since 1996, the total installed capacity of straw combustion boilers is around 5 MW.
Biogas is produced at two wastewater treatment plants, in one distillery, and one demonstration biogas plant of an agricultural company.
Biomass Energy Resource Potential
There is a considerable potential of wood (residues) and agricultural wastes that could be used for energy purposes.
The preferred direction concerning wood is the modernization of existing boilers and the construction of new ones. The establishment of plantation of energy plants is considered.
As far as straw is concerned, around 10-12 % of the total amount of straw would be available as fuel. There are several companies in Lithuania which produce straw-fired boilers.
In the area of Biogas, the existing potential is largest in the agricultural sector, however, the hight investments per unit of capacity are a high barrier for the development of biogas technology. [ EBRD ]
Wind energy
Current Status of Wind Energy
The first wind power plants were constructed in 2004 and during that year the generated output amounted to approximately 1.2 GWh.
Since 2007, the use of wind energy for power production increased. In 2008 the installed capacity amounted to 52 MW.
Wind Energy Resource Potential
A country-wide wind atlas is available, indicating wind speeds over 6m/s at 30 m height mainly along the Baltic Sea coast. The total potential is estimated to be 500 MW, the most promising sites being Palanga, Klaipeda, Kurshkay Spit, and the western region of the inland territory.
However, there is little interest and support for wind energy by the government. [ EBRD ]
Solar energy
Current Status of Solar Energy
Currently, solar energy is not widely used in Lithuania. Recently, the use for hot water supply, space heating and drying of agricultural products has risen, and to a small extent there are solar cells and autonomous electricity sources.
Solar Energy Resource Potential
The climatic conditions are not favorable for the development of solar energy. The seasonal use for water-heating plants and photovoltaic plants is, however, possible. [ EBRD ]
Geothermal Energy
Current Status of Geothermal Energy
Lithuania has geothermal brines with temperatures up to 90°C and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) up to 200 g/l.
The first geothermal demonstration plant in Lithuania was built in Klaipeda. The geothermal water (38°C and salinity ~98 g/l) is pumped from 1,100 m depth. Geothermal heat is extracted from geothermal water using an absorption heat pump and transferred to district heating network of Klaipeda. Total thermal capacity of plant – 41 MW.
Total amount of heat produced in 2007 amounted to 32,400 MWh.
Geothermal Energy Resource Potential
There is potential for use of geothermal energy for heat.
The National Energy Strategy and the National Energy Efficiency Program foresee the development of geothermal energy. Barriers towards development of this energy source are little technological experience and currently low heat prices.
Support Mechanisms and feed-in conditions for electricity from renewable energy sources
The Lithuanian government has set several regulations and programs in order to promote the utilization of RES in the electricity sector. Lithuania has a feed-in tariff with Purchase obligation.
The Law on Electricity (adopted 2002, new wording on 2004) and its follow-up acts defines, among others, the purchase procedure of electricity from renewable energy sources.
- According to "the Rules for Public Service Obligations", the purchase and the sale of electricity generated by using renewable and waste energy resources are set as public service obligations. The National Control Commission for Prices and Energy shall set the purchasing price for electricity produced from local fuel, renewable energy sources or waste.
- The List of Public Service Obligations approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania for the purpose of implementation of the provisions of the Law on Electricity. This list includes the obligation for public and independent electricity suppliers and eligible customers which import electricity to purchase and sell electricity generated from renewable energy sources.
- The Regulations for Public Service Obligations approved by the Minister of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania set forth general rules for provision of services related to generation of electricity from renewable energy sources and regulate requirements and obligations for holders of supply licenses, as well as market, transmission and distribution network operators and eligible customers to provide such services.
The table below shows the current feed-in tariffs from 01/01/2009 as stated by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy (NCC):
No. | Name | Price, LTLc/kWh |
|---|---|---|
1. | Hydro Power Plants | 26 (~7.5 €cents) |
2. | Wind Power Plants | 30 (~8.8 €cents) |
3. | Power Plants, using biofuel | 30 (~8.8 €cents) |
4. | Operating Power Plants, which supply electricity to 0,4 kV voltage network for 10 years period, when the date is counted since the connection to electricity network | Price fixed in Power Purchase-Sale Agreement on 31/12/2001 |
5. | Other Power Plants, using renewable or waste energy resources | Price is set by separate NCC decision |
Note: The average renewable or waste energy prices could be differentiated. | ||
