Informal meeting of EU Energy Ministers on decarbonisation of the energy system and elimination of Russian LNG imports
On 15-16 July, Vice-Minister of Energy Inga Žilienė attended the informal meeting of the EU Energy Council in Budapest, Hungary. The informal meeting focused on the decarbonisation of the energy system and the issue of phasing out imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia.
“We need to mobilise our efforts and find ways to further diversify our energy supply and move away from Russian LNG imports as soon as possible. Over the last two years, we have achieved significant results in reducing the use of fossil fuels and rapidly developing renewable energy. However, these efforts are not enough, as the latest information shows that LNG imports from Russia have exceeded LNG imports from the US for the first time in two years. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, now is not the time to normalise relations with Russia. We call on the European Commission to develop an action plan and ask the Hungarian Presidency to hold a debate on this issue at the EU Energy Council in October,” said Deputy Energy Minister Žiliene.
A total of 13 EU Member States have called for further discussions to find concrete measures to help eliminate Russian LNG imports and invited the European Commission to prepare an action plan.
The informal meeting of EU Energy Ministers also discussed the National Energy and Climate Plans and their role in the EU's efforts to achieve climate neutrality, energy security and competitiveness goals. The European Commission invited countries to take their time and submit National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).
“The EU and its Member States have set very ambitious energy decarbonisation targets. To achieve them, we need to consider all available and cost-effective zero- and low-carbon energy solutions,” said Inga Žilienė, Deputy Minister for Energy.
Discussions focused on the role of geothermal energy, the implementation of the 2030 energy policy and the importance of national energy and climate plans, a resilient, flexible and integrated electricity system, and the contribution of the energy sector to the new competitiveness deal.
“In Lithuania, 80% of cities have a very well-developed district heating system. The decarbonisation of district heating has largely replaced natural gas with sustainable biofuels. By 2050, it is planned that 100% of district heating in Lithuania will come from renewable energy sources, 50% from sustainable biofuels, and the rest from other sources such as surplus and waste heat, renewable electricity, and environmental energy. This could also include geothermal energy, especially in western Lithuania, where the potential is particularly high,” says the Vice-Minister.
As for electricity distribution networks, they not only need to be expanded and modernised, but also invested in smart grid management. Distribution network operators play an important role in implementing energy flexibility measures, ensuring the exchange of data between different market players.
“The EU’s ambitious green energy transformation goals depend on a resilient, smart and well-developed energy grid system. This is the foundation of the energy green transformation,” the Vice-Minister told the meeting.