Baltic States discuss joint energy centre project
On 29 November, Vice-Minister of Energy Albinas Zananavičius participated in a meeting of the Senior Energy Officials Committee of Baltic Council of Ministers to discuss the issues related to the Baltic joint energy centre project.
The Baltic Energy Centre would integrate renewable energy from onshore and offshore sources, while ensuring reliable transmission capacity for Central Europe. With the capacity to generate up to seven times more renewable electricity than the region needs, the Baltic Energy Centre could make a significant contribution to the Baltic States’ contribution to Europe’s decarbonisation targets.
“The international community has a clear goal in the energy and climate sector – decarbonisation. While ambitions and targets may vary, the end goal is clear. This is the environment in which we are currently working at regional, EU and global level. The Baltic States must be ready to take advantage of their strengths in the renewable energy sector and the opportunity to become energy exporters,” said Mr Zananavičius.
The Baltic Energy Centre would not only increase the region's energy independence, but also boost green energy production, accelerate exports and attract energy-intensive industries willing to source green energy at competitive prices. The project also has the potential to produce new energy products, such as green hydrogen and its derivatives, on a large scale and at affordable prices.
Central European countries are projected to become net energy importers as fossil fuels are phased out, due to the lack of renewable energy potential and the huge energy demand.
“Cost-effective and competitive energy prices for local businesses and consumers, a new energy industry, the production of hydrogen and derivatives, investments in data centres, artificial intelligence, battery production and other energy-intensive industries – all of this can be achieved if the Baltic States realise their full renewable energy potential. We need to seize this opportunity and start preparing now," said the Vice-Minister.
Also today, the Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) High-Level Group Senior Officials Meeting, attended by representatives of the Baltic States, Poland and the European Commission, discussed synchronisation with continental European grids and cooperation on the protection of critical infrastructure for synchronisation.
Last updated: 02-12-2024
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