By 2033, Lithuania plans to establish ten new power plants and seven “energy islands” to strengthen the country’s power system against natural disasters, acts of sabotage, and other emergency situations.These energy islands would be capable of operating independently of one another, ensuring a supply of electricity to consumers even if the main regional transmission networks become unavailable. Andrius Šemeškevičius, CEO of the Lithuanian electricity transmission system operator Litgrid, stated that the initiative was prompted by increasingly frequent extreme weather conditions—which cause power outages—as well as growing geopolitical threats. He explained that these energy islands are segments of the power system capable of independent operation even when the primary 330-kilovolt transmission network is inaccessible—a scenario that could arise due to natural disasters, sabotage, or other emergencies. Šemeškevičius indicated that Litgrid aims to ensure that consumers receive electricity even under the most challenging conditions. To achieve this, a plan has been developed to upgrade existing power plants, integrate battery storage systems, and establish new electricity generation capacity where needed.The seven planned energy islands will cover the regions of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda–Mažeikiai, Panevėžys–Šiauliai, Alytus, Jurbarkas, and Utena. In the event of isolated operation, electricity will be supplied according to a priority system: emergency services and hospitals will receive power first, followed by households, while businesses will have the lowest priority. Litgrid estimates that, in such scenarios, households would receive electricity for at least eight hours a day—though this represents a worst-case scenario. If there is sufficient sunshine and wind, the energy islands would be able to provide a 24-hour power supply.The project entails the construction of ten new power plants in Lithuania by 2033, with a combined capacity of 800 megawatts. These facilities must meet specific technical requirements, including the capability to begin operations within 30 minutes. The planned capacity ranges from a minimum of 50 megawatts to a maximum of 100 megawatts. Litgrid intends to hold procurement tenders; the winning companies will have five years to construct the new, flexible-generation power plant and will subsequently be required to provide operational services for an additional 15 years. While private investors will build the power plants, Litgrid will procure their capacity to ensure isolated operation services. Should the necessary legislative and regulatory amendments be approved, the first tender could take place as early as 2027, with the energy island model expected to be fully operational by 2033.Šemeškevičius noted that the initiative concerns power plants capable of rapid startup – making gas-fired plants a likely primary option – though the tender will be technologically neutral, allowing for the use of hydrogen, biomethane, or liquid fuels.Under normal conditions, electricity generated by these plants may be sold on the market, provided it is economically advantageous to do so. Šemeškevičius clarified that while Litgrid will procure isolated operation services, there will be no restrictions on how the power plants operate at other times. The private sector is expected to invest approximately 880 million euros in the construction of the power plants.Although the seven energy islands are planned to be fully operational by 2033, Lithuania aims to have the first four—located in the Vilnius, Kaunas, Panevėžys–Šiauliai, and Klaipėda regions—up and running as early as 2028. Achieving this will require upgrading certain existing power plants to enhance their capacity to supply electricity during emergencies. This would enable these four energy islands to operate independently of the main grid, albeit not at full capacity.Šemeškevičius also highlighted potential risk factors for the project’s implementation, including possible objections from local communities concerned about the construction of power plants near their homes. Other challenges include obtaining regulatory approval and securing sufficient investment from the private sector.Read the full article in English here: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/3110124/lithuania-plans-10-new-power-plants-and-seven-energy-islands-to-strengthen-grid-resilience
Lithuania plans ten new power plants to enhance grid resilience
