Press release, 31 May 2014
www.lrs.lt/en2014nato-pa
Today the Spring Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) continues its work in committees. The Economics and Security Committee was briefed on Lithuanias energy situation. Making his presentation, Dr Dalius Misiūnas, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Lietuvos Energija, UAB, expressed his satisfaction that he was able to review and discuss Lithuanias and its neighbours immediate plans in connection with energy both as regards electricity and gas supply as well as present key strategic projects and consider their potential impact on energy consumption and prices and overall energy security.
As noted in the presentation, 65% of electricity consumption in Lithuania came from imports in 2013. It is the largest volume of electricity imported as compared to other countries in Europe. After the closure of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in 2010, electric power was mostly imported from Russia. At present, according to the Chairman of the Board of Lietuvos Energija, UAB, the balance is shifting to the power imported from the Scandinavian countries: Lithuania is currently making very firm steps towards greater energy independence and greater security of supply. In particular, I would highlight electricity interconnections and the Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal as the key projects that will allow to significantly diversify our energy supply. No doubt, we are in the period of major decisions as regards further development of our basic power generation. In 2016, we will have an interconnection to Sweden. Yet another strategic project and objective of Lithuania and the entire region is disconnection from the Russian power grid and synchronous interconnection with the European Continental Networks. It is possible to achieve this through the interconnection with Poland and we are going to build this interconnection in a year.
In 2013, Lithuania paid the highest price for natural gas in Europe. Dr Misiūnas called this a paradoxical situation because geographically Lithuania is located closest to the source of supply. Therefore, effective solutions are worked out to reduce dependence on Russian gas: they are, as mentioned before, construction of the LNG Terminal and the Gas Interconnection Poland. According to Dr Misiūnas, such steps will ensure natural gas supply from several sources and win additional cards in the negotiations with Russia. The first results have already been achieved: the price of Russian natural gas supplied to Lithuania has dropped by 20% from April.
The presentation of the Chairman of the Board of Lietuvos Energija, UAB generated lively interest of the participants of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and that, according to Dr Misiūnas, confirmed that the objective of the Baltic States located on the EU periphery to integrate into the European Continental Networks is relevant to all countries.
Please find more on the NATO PA and the Spring Session here: www.lrs.lt/lt2014nato-pa.
Saulė Eglė Trembo, Public Relations Unit, Communications Department, Office of the Seimas, tel. +370 5 239 6203, e-mail: [email protected]
