WSHPDR_2013_Final_Report-updated_version

4.2.7 Lithuania
European Small Hydropower Association, Stream Map
SHP installed
capacity
29 MW
Key facts
SHP potential
40 MW
Population 3,525,761
Area 65,300 km 2
Climate Transitional, between maritime and
continental; wet, moderate winters and
summers
Topography Lowland, many scattered small lakes,
fertile soil
Rain
pattern
Electricity sector overview
Lithuania’s electricity market changed markedly in 2010.
As a condition of entry into the European Union,
Lithuania agreed in 1999 to close existing units of the
Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant due to its lack of
containment building and the high risk it had. As a
result, Lithuania lost its largest and cheapest producer
of electricity, making the country an electricity importer
(56 per cent), when it was previously an exporter.
Hydropower produces about 10 per cent of electricity
needs with thermal plants supplying almost 30 per cent
(figure 1).
Other
Wind
Hydropow er
Thermal
Import
Mean annual precipitation varies from
550 to 850 mm. The area with the most
rainfall is located in the west. 2
3.12%
3.59%
9.43%
28.29%
55.57%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Figure 1 Electricity generation in Lithuania
Source: Lithuanian Electricity Association 3
The EU Third Package directives were implemented,
promoting competition in the energy sector by
separating production, transmission and distribution. A
free electricity market was formed on 1 January 2010. 4
Small hydropower sector overview and potential
In 2010, Lithuania had 87 small hydropower plants and a
total installed capacity of 29 MW (generating 93 GWh
per year). By 2020, the aim is to have 110 plants with a
total installed capacity of 40 MW (generating 120 GWh)
(figure 2).
0 10 20 30 40 50
Figure 2 Small hydropower capacities in Lithuania
Renewable energy policy
After long debates for more than two years, a law on
renewable energy has been introduced in Lithuania. For
different power generation technologies, the 2020
targets in terms of installed capacity are proposed. For
the hydro sector, it is 141 MW (starting with 129 MW in
2005). This contribution coincides with that given in the
National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) but
hydropower proponents wanted to see a bigger figure
(up to 250 MW). However, environmental groups
prevented this increase.
Legislation on small hydropower
Small hydro is regulated by the Ministry of Economy,
Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Despite the existence of a power granting scheme, there
is, up till now, no specific hydropower legislation in
Lithuania. There are introductions for simplifications of
administrative procedures for renewable energy sources
technologies up to 350 kW, however hydropower of any
size is excluded from this simplification. An exception is
made for hydro technology without dam.
The support system is regulated by a recently
promulgated law on renewable energy. A feed-in tariff
(FIT) is guaranteed for 12 years commencing from 2011
onwards (current FIT is 5.8 euro cents/kWh). For new
plants, a quota obligation system with FIT is in force and
auctions will be organized to ensure the least FIT value
proposed by a proponent. Very small capacity plants
(