Latest news with #ŽygimantasVaičiūnas
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lithuania advances towards energy independence in power and transport sectors
Lithuania is working towards achieving its vision for a secure, sustainable, and affordable energy future, as highlighted in a new Energy Policy Review by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Lithuanian Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas said: 'Energy independence is the foundation of Lithuania's energy policy.' The report underscores the country's swift actions to attain energy independence, particularly after it ceased energy imports from Russia and the recent synchronisation of its electricity grid with the continental European system. Lithuania has nearly doubled its electricity generation from renewable sources between 2022 and 2024, spurred by enhanced permitting and support schemes. These policy shifts have also led to a rise in residential solar photovoltaic (PV) installations and grid-scale battery storage. Despite these advancements, Lithuania's energy consumption still heavily depends on imported fossil fuels, especially within the transport sector, and a considerable portion of its electricity demand is met through imports. Lithuania's updated National Energy Independence Strategy outlines a move towards an electrified energy system and hydrogen production from renewable electricity by 2050, which could result in a sixfold increase in power consumption by mid-century. To ensure electricity security amid this expected surge, the IEA emphasises the need for extensive coordination among stakeholders and an accelerated development of grid infrastructure. Lithuania's decarbonisation goals necessitate a swift deployment of additional renewable energy capacity, particularly wind power. The report advises continuous monitoring of market conditions and policy action if they become less favourable, as well as increased system flexibility through clearer price signals and net-metering system reform. IEA executive director Fatih Birol said: 'The IEA is proud to support Lithuania's journey towards energy independence, which it has established as a major policy priority. We applaud the important progress made towards this goal so far, including the successful decoupling of Lithuania's energy system from Russia's. Lithuania's transport sector, accounting for 40% of total energy consumption and 75% of oil demand, presents another challenge with its significant emissions. The report identifies electrification as the primary solution for decarbonising road transport, which complements the expansion of renewable electricity generation. However, the high cost of electric vehicles (EVs) has hindered their uptake in Lithuania. The IEA suggests targeted incentives, infrastructure investments, and regulatory support to boost EV adoption and maintain affordability. The report underscores the importance of regional cooperation for policy harmonisation, sharing effective approaches, and strengthening energy supply chains. Vaičiūnas added: 'We have taken bold steps to strengthen our security, from strategic infrastructure investment to full synchronisation with the continental European electricity grid. "Now, our focus is on building a cleaner, smarter and more resilient energy system – one that is powered by renewables, electrifies transport, and delivers affordable energy for our citizens. The IEA's review confirms we are on the right track and offers valuable guidance as we implement our long-term strategy.' "Lithuania advances towards energy independence in power and transport sectors" was originally created and published by Energy Monitor, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Arab Times
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
3 Baltic states disconnect from Soviet-era grid to merge with European energy system
VILNIUS, Lithuania, Feb 10, (AP): The flow of electricity between the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and Russia was officially severed Saturday morning after officials switched off the Soviet-era grid's transmission lines and prepared to join the rest of Europe on Sunday. This came more than three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending the Baltics' final ties to oil- and gas-rich Russia. For the three countries, as well as the rest of Europe, the move was steeped in geopolitical and symbolic significance. "The Baltic energy system is finally in our hands, we are in full control,' Lithuania Energy minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas told reporters. On Saturday, all remaining transmission lines between them and Russia, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, wedged between EU members Poland and Lithuania and the sea, were switched off one by one. Lithuania first - where a specially-made 9-meter (about 29-foot) tall clock in downtown Vilnius counted down the final seconds - then Latvia a few minutes later, followed by Estonia. For 24 hours after detaching from the Soviet-era grid, the Baltic Power System will operate independently. If all goes as planned, the power system will merge with the European energy networks on Sunday afternoon through several links with Finland, Sweden and Poland. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the presidents of Poland and the Baltic states, are expected for a ceremony in Vilnius on Sunday evening along with other dignitaries. The Baltic countries, which are all NATO members, have often had chilly ties with Russia since declaring independence from the USSR in 1990 - and relations soured further over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sixteen power lines that used to connect the Baltic states with Russia and Belarus were dismantled over in recent years as a new grid linking them with the rest of the EU was created, including underwater cables in the Baltic Sea. "This is physical disconnection from the last remaining element of our reliance on the Russian and Belarusian energy system,' Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda told The Associated Press in a recent interview.
The Guardian
08-02-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Baltic states leave Russian power grid in closer EU integration
The three Baltic states have disconnected their electricity systems from Russia's power grid as part of a plan designed to integrate the countries more closely with the EU and boost security. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania disconnected from the IPS/UPS joint network on Saturday. Subject to last-minute tests, they will synchronise with the EU's grid at 12.00 GMT on Sunday after operating on their own in the interim. The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, will speak at a ceremony on Sunday to mark the switch to the EU system. 'We've reached the goal we strived for, for so long. We are now in control,' the Lithuanian energy minister, Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, told a press conference. Immediately after disconnecting, Latvian workers used a crane to reach the high-voltage wires in Vilaka, close to the Russian border, and cut them. They handed out chopped wire as keepsakes to cheering onlookers. 'We will never use it again. We are moving on,' Latvia's energy minister, Kaspars Melnis, said. Plans for the Baltics to decouple from the grid of their former Soviet imperial overlord, which have been debated for decades, gained momentum after Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The grid was the only remaining link to Russia for the three countries, which re-emerged as independent nations in the early 1990s after the fall of the Soviet Union, and joined the EU and Nato in 2004. The three staunch supporters of Kyiv stopped buying power from Russia after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but have relied on the Russian grid to control frequencies and stabilise networks to avoid outages. 'By ending the energy dependence of the Baltic states on Russia, we are leaving the aggressor without the option of using energy as a weapon against us,' the Estonia's foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, said. An army truck was seen at the Rezekne power substation near the Latvia-Russia border, and officers with guns were patrolling the vicinity and in the nearby town, indicative of Baltic worries of attempted sabotage to the switch. The Baltic Sea region is on high alert after power cable, telecom links and gas pipeline outages to Sweden or Finland. All were believed to have been caused by ships dragging anchors along the seabed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia has denied any involvement. 'The system is stable, the process is happening smoothly, no one is noticing that something changed,' Melnis said. Maintaining a constant power supply requires a stable grid frequency, which can more easily be obtained over time in a large synchronised area such as Russia or continental Europe, compared with what the Baltics can do on their own, analysts say. Lithuania's energy ministry said it has drawn up contingency plans whereby some heavy energy users, such as factories, could be temporarily disconnected from the grid in the event of power shortages to maintain essential supplies. For Russia, the decoupling means its Kaliningrad exclave, located between Lithuania, Poland and the Baltic Sea, is cut off from Russia's main grid, leaving it to maintain its power system alone. The Baltic countries have spent nearly €1.6bn since 2018 to upgrade grids to prepare for the switch, while Russia has spent 100bn roubles ($1bn), including on the building of several gas-fired power plants in Kaliningrad.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
3 Baltic states disconnect from the Soviet-era grid to merge with the European energy system
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — The flow of electricity between the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and Russia was officially severed Saturday morning after officials switched off the Soviet-era grid's transmission lines and prepared to join the rest of Europe on Sunday. This came more than three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending the Baltics' final ties to oil- and gas-rich Russia. For the three countries, as well as the rest of Europe, the move was steeped in geopolitical and symbolic significance. 'The Baltic energy system is finally in our hands, we are in full control,' Lithuania Energy minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas told reporters. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. On Saturday, all remaining transmission lines between them and Russia, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, wedged between EU members Poland and Lithuania and the sea, were switched off one by one. Lithuania first — where a specially-made 9-meter (about 29-foot) tall clock in downtown Vilnius counted down the final seconds — then Latvia a few minutes later, followed by Estonia. For 24 hours after detaching from the Soviet-era grid, the Baltic Power System will operate independently. If all goes as planned, the power system will merge with the European energy networks on Sunday afternoon through several links with Finland, Sweden and Poland. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the presidents of Poland and the Baltic states, are expected for a ceremony in Vilnius on Sunday evening along with other dignitaries. The Baltic countries, which are all NATO members, have often had chilly ties with Russia since declaring independence from the USSR in 1990 — and relations soured further over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sixteen power lines that used to connect the Baltic states with Russia and Belarus were dismantled over in recent years as a new grid linking them with the rest of the EU was created, including underwater cables in the Baltic Sea. 'This is physical disconnection from the last remaining element of our reliance on the Russian and Belarusian energy system,' Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda told The Associated Press in a recent interview. The three Baltic countries, which together have a 1,633-kilometer-long (1,015-mile) border with Russia and Belarus, informed Moscow and Minsk of the disconnection plan in 2024 to head off any hostile reaction. 'We have a protocol with the Russians on how everything should be disconnected,' Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Litgrid, told reporters on Saturday. Leaders of all three countries assured their nations that the shift would go smoothly but special measures were taken to prevent possible provocations. In Latvia, the National Armed Forces and the National Guard were instructed to carry on their duties in a reinforced mode. No incidents were reported early Saturday. The Kaliningrad region, which has no land ties to mainland Russia, already relies on its own power generation, according to Litgrid.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
3 Baltic states disconnect from the Soviet-era grid to merge with the European energy system
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — The flow of electricity between the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and Russia was officially severed Saturday morning after officials switched off the Soviet-era grid's transmission lines and prepared to join the rest of Europe on Sunday. This came more than three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, ending the Baltics' final ties to oil- and gas-rich Russia. For the three countries, as well as the rest of Europe, the move was steeped in geopolitical and symbolic significance. 'The Baltic energy system is finally in our hands, we are in full control,' Lithuania Energy minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas told reporters. On Saturday, all remaining transmission lines between them and Russia, Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, wedged between EU members Poland and Lithuania and the sea, were switched off one by one. Lithuania first — where a specially-made 9-meter (about 29-foot) tall clock in downtown Vilnius counted down the final seconds — then Latvia a few minutes later, followed by Estonia. For 24 hours after detaching from the Soviet-era grid, the Baltic Power System will operate independently. If all goes as planned, the power system will merge with the European energy networks on Sunday afternoon through several links with Finland, Sweden and Poland. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as well as the presidents of Poland and the Baltic states, are expected for a ceremony in Vilnius on Sunday evening along with other dignitaries. The Baltic countries, which are all NATO members, have often had chilly ties with Russia since declaring independence from the USSR in 1990 — and relations soured further over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Sixteen power lines that used to connect the Baltic states with Russia and Belarus were dismantled over in recent years as a new grid linking them with the rest of the EU was created, including underwater cables in the Baltic Sea. 'This is physical disconnection from the last remaining element of our reliance on the Russian and Belarusian energy system,' Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda told The Associated Press in a recent interview. The three Baltic countries, which together have a 1,633-kilometer-long (1,015-mile) border with Russia and Belarus, informed Moscow and Minsk of the disconnection plan in 2024 to head off any hostile reaction. 'We have a protocol with the Russians on how everything should be disconnected,' Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Litgrid, told reporters on Saturday. Leaders of all three countries assured their nations that the shift would go smoothly but special measures were taken to prevent possible provocations. In Latvia, the National Armed Forces and the National Guard were instructed to carry on their duties in a reinforced mode. No incidents were reported early Saturday. The Kaliningrad region, which has no land ties to mainland Russia, already relies on its own power generation, according to Litgrid. Liudas Dapkus, The Associated Press
