I am pleased to note that the European Union – Eastern Partnership Parliamentary Assembly EURONEST, which was set up two years ago, encourages EU Member States and their partners in Eastern Europe to cooperate and assist each other in developing common security mechanisms and energy policy.

I hope that the Workshop of the EURONEST Committee on Energy Security titled Eastern Partnership Prospects on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will provide politicians, the academic community, experts and all of us with an opportunity to share our knowledge, the experience of our countries and the lessons learnt about the implementation of energy efficiency policy, the rational use and development of renewable energy sources, as well as on striking the right balance in the energy mix and ensuring secure and safe energy supply at the most acceptable, i.e., lowest, price for consumers.

The period between 2014 and 2020 offers several key challenges to Lithuania.

The main challenge Lithuania will definitely face is development of energy security in a systemic and integrated way by increasing energy efficiency and promoting wider use of renewable energy sources in various sectors, including electricity, heating and transport. The National Energy Independence Strategy has formulated an ambitious target to increase the use of renewable energy to 23 % of final energy consumption by 2020.

As far as individual sectors are concerned, the share of renewable energy sources (biofuel) in district heating is expected to account for at least 60 %, up to 20 % in electricity generation, and 10 % in transport. Taking into account the planned development of the electricity and heating sector, the implementation of those initiatives will demand about LTL 3 billion in investment by 2020, including funds from public enterprises and EU structural funds as well as other international assistance.

During this period, efforts will be aimed at meeting the necessary energy demand by employing the biggest possible share of domestic sources and phasing out polluting imported fossil fuel.

Energy efficiency poses yet another challenge. We have already achieved good results in this field. In the last decade (2000–2010) energy efficiency was rapidly increasing. Despite the economic downturn and a slight increase of energy intensity during that period, final energy intensity in Lithuania was 21.5 % lower in 2010 than that in the year 2000. Given the full energy saving potential, the main strategic goal of energy efficiency is to reduce energy consumption by 1.5% on an annual basis. Consequently, we would be able to save 740 kilotons of oil equivalent of energy by 2020. This objective has been established in the National Energy Independence Strategy.

In order to achieve energy efficiency, we have to implement numerous measures. It has been planned to harness cutting-edge technologies to modernise district heating networks. Plans are underway to renovate electricity distribution networks, replace old transformers by more efficient ones and replace overhead power lines by underground power cables. It is equally necessary to invest into the modernisation of urban spaces and street lighting systems, IT solutions for integrated management of energy systems, in smart grids and IT management programmes.

A large potential for energy savings is now available in the existing building stock.

The data of the first Energy Efficiency Action Plan indicate that buildings are responsible for approximately 40 % of final energy consumption. It has been estimated that residential, commercial and service sectors show the greatest potential for energy saving, accounting for 80 % of the overall energy saving potential. Consequently, most of the measures for increasing energy efficiency should be targeted at funding the projects aimed at enhancing energy performance of old multi-apartment residential and public buildings.

According to estimates, modernisation of existing multi-apartment residential buildings and public buildings may lead to 30–50 % of energy savings.

I hope that through working together we will respond to the challenges and find the best ways to improve energy efficiency as well as open the door wide to renewable sources of energy.

Have a successful workshop.