The Lithuanian government on Wednesday approved the National Energy Independence Strategy 2050.
Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys called the document key for the energy sector and one of the strategic documents for the whole country.
“In the upcoming decades, we aim to switch to climate-neutral energy sources and to replace the fossil fuels we currently use. Electricity will become the main source of energy over the next 25 years, so we plan to generate all electricity for our needs. A lot of attention will also be paid to our energy security and reserve issues,” Kreivys told the cabinet meeting.
Lithuania’s energy transformation is estimated to create up to 140,000 new jobs and generate up to 11 percent of the country’s GDP by 2050, with its estimated benefit to the national economy standing at 6.3 billion euros.
Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė said she is confident that the strategy will be adopted by the Seimas.
“I really see [the strategy] as a very coherent and complete vision. Let us hope the Seimas will back it and that this will ensure continuity,” the prime minister told the cabinet meeting.
Environment Minister Simonas Gentvilas says the new strategy would require huge investments every year: “Every year, 1–2 percent of GDP will have to be invested.”
Drafted by the Energy Ministry, the document sets out how Lithuania will generate all the electricity it needs by 2050, export it, increase its renewable energy production capacity, and make its industry greener.
In addition to being able to generate all electricity for its needs by 2050, Lithuania is also expected to export electricity to Central Europe, in particular Germany, where significant energy deficits are projected in the future.
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