Lithuanian power usage at 25-year high

Lithuania has seen a record growth in power consumption, reaching a 25-year high last year. The final electricity usage totalled 10.47TWh in 2016, according to statistics from transmission system operator […]

Lithuania has seen a record growth in power consumption, reaching a 25-year high last year.

The final electricity usage totalled 10.47TWh in 2016, according to statistics from transmission system operator LitGrid.

Householders, businesses, agriculture and transport sectors used 4.5% more power compared to the previous year.

Two-thirds of electricity used in Lithuania was imported, the majority (37%) of which from Latvia, Estonia and Finland.

The volume of power generation from renewable sources grew by a quarter to 2TWh, accounting for 51% of the nation’s total production.

Generation at hydropower stations rose 30% and wind farms, with 509MW of capacity, produced 40% more power. Overall production at power plants reduced by 14%.

Daivis Virbickas, CEO of LitGrid said: “We can project that the trend for diminishing production at conventional plants and for an increase of generation at plants using renewable energy sources will continue. Development of energy production that depends on the weather and seasons requires solving issues related to the system’s balance and to securing reserves for a flexible and sustainable production.”

Last year the European Commission approved state aid for a combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Lithuania.

Latest figures from Eurostat for 2015 revealed EU dependency on fossil fuel imports is rising as energy consumption falls.

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