Lithuania’s Latest Energy Policy Review Presented: Lithuania Is a Regional Leader
On 7 July, in Vilnius, the International Energy Agency (IEA) presented the latest Energy Policy Review of Lithuania, which assesses the progress made in implementing the strategic energy goals and provides important recommendations for further development of the sector.
The event was attended by Dr Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, who was visiting Lithuania for the first time on an official visit, Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, policy makers, ambassadors, representatives of the energy sector and independent experts. The presentation of the report was followed by a discussion on key challenges for the future: flexibility of the energy system, attracting investment, development of green technologies and regional cooperation.
“Diversification, market predictability and cooperation between countries are the three golden rules that every country needs to pursue for a sustainable and secure energy future. Energy security is becoming part of national security and requires the cooperation of both energy professionals and all public authorities and politicians,” Dr Fatih Birol noted.
“Energy is not just an engineering system. It is about our core values: ambition, determination, cooperation, creativity, performance and, ultimately, success. What next? First and foremost, the implementation of the IEA recommendations. Also a special focus on the protection of critical energy infrastructure. We are proud to be part of the IEA. This is an important signal to our energy community and to society as a whole—Lithuania is not only a leader in the region, but is becoming one globally. The IEA’s assessment and recommendations provide us with a solid basis for even more targeted decisions,” Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas said.
The discussion was also attended by Mindaugas Keizeris, Head of the State Energy Group EPSO-G, Agnė Bagočiutė, Director of the Lithuanian Energy Agency, and Martynas Nagevičius, President of the Lithuanian Confederation of Renewable Resources. The discussion was moderated by Romas Švedas, Associate Professor of Partnership at Vilnius University.
After the discussion, the Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas and the Executive Director of the IEA Dr Fatih Birol met with the Prime Minister Gintautas Palucas and the Speaker of the Seimas Saulius Skvernelis.
The English version of the Lithuanian Energy Policy Review is available here, and the Lithuanian summary can be found here.