Lithuanian transmission system operator Litgrid predicts a spectacular electrification of Lithuania. The country’s energy demand is expected to increase by almost 50 percent within 10 years.
Lithuanian transmission system operator Litgrid predicts, in their 10-year plan, that the country’s electricity consumption in 2031 will be 46 percent higher than in 2021. In 2031, Lithuania’s total electricity consumption will reach 18.7 TWh. To compare, last year it amounted to 12.8 TWh.
In the previous year, Litgrid predicted that in a decade, total electricity consumption would rise to 15 TWh. The estimates have been updated to take into account the European Green Deal and the recent rapid shift of Lithuanian citizens and businesses toward electricity-based solutions.
Litgrid plans to launch dozens of construction projects a year. They plan to spend a total of more than €2 billion to ensure network reliability and security.
In preparation for synchronization of the transmission system with the power system of Europe, existing and new transmission lines and substations are being rebuilt, a project to install synchronous compensators is underway, information systems for frequency and generation management are being implemented and tests are being planned. Litgrid has already performed 40 percent of works necessary for the synchronization. Litgrid also sees the practical possibility of implementing synchronization earlier – in the first quarter of 2024.
As demand for electricity increases, the number of companies seeking to generate electricity from RES is growing.
“Adding up all the wind farms already connected to the grid and the wind and solar plants with reserved capacity, we have a total capacity of 4,394 MW. That’s more than half of the national target of 7,000 MW of RES capacity in 2030. The new 330 kV Darbėnai-Mūša-Panevėžys overhead line is under construction and will contribute significantly to the integration of RES not only in the 1,400 MW offshore wind farm project, but also throughout Lithuania. The reconstruction of the grid will contribute to the reliable operation of the network and ensure the quality of electricity throughout the country”, said Rokas Masiulis, CEO of Litgrid.
