Lithuania leads EU efforts to reduce Russian energy dependence through renewable energy growth and import diversification.
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Lithuania is leading efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate Russian products, having stopped importing Russian gas at the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, followed by a halt in electricity imports that same year, and subsequently disconnecting from the BRELL grid to synchronize with continental Europe’s system. Lithuania shows strong results in renewable energy; its power transmission operator, Litgrid, reported the lowest average wholesale electricity price in May over the last 13 months, with domestic generation covering 95% of consumption. Solar power has set new records in hourly, weekly, and monthly production, generating 252 GWh in May alone, and on one occasion, more electricity was produced than consumed for 12 days. Furthermore, two-thirds of the electricity generated in Lithuania in May came from renewable sources. The European Union reduced its energy product imports by 16% in 2024 compared to 2023, with major suppliers being the US for oil and Norway for natural gas. Member states have increased wind and solar capacity by 36% between 2021 and 2023, supported by EU initiatives promoting European photovoltaic technology manufacturing. Regarding wind power, efforts are focused on integrating capacity collaboratively with local residents to avoid issues related to landscape, biodiversity, or cultural heritage. Italy shifted its energy sourcing away from Russia after initially relying heavily on Russian imports, now importing from countries like Algeria and the US, citing liquefied natural gas supply flexibility, decarbonization of electricity generation, and macroeconomic factors.
