Journal of Economics and Development Studies

Sustainable Development of Lithuanian Electricity Energy Sector
Laura Aidukiene, Gintare Skaiste

Abstract
Lithuania is very dependent on electricity produced from fossil fuels which is imported from the single source. Also, around half of the electricity consumed is imported from neighboring countries, mostly from Russia. After the shutting down of Ignalina nuclear power plant in 2009, thermal plants became the major producers of electricity in the country. Consequently, Lithuanian power sector must focus on augmenting energy sector independence by building new local electricity generation capacities based on nuclear and renewable energy and by constructing interconnections with European Union countries in order to benefit from unified market. Lithuanian government is willing progressively increase to 20 per cent the use of renewable energy sources in the production of electricity until 2020. Due to the Lithuanian climatic conditions geothermal energy and solar power are not used for power production and further development of hydropower plants is limited by environmental restrictions. Therefore, priority is given to wind energy development and installation of new biomass power plants. In this paper the possible future electricity scenarios for Lithuania are analyzed to identify the most adequate, independent, low cost and environmentally friendly energy source.

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