Minister of Energy presents Lithuania’s positions on energy security, energy prices and Ukraine at the EU Energy Council
On 16–17 March, Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas was in Brussels for the meeting of the EU Energy Council and for discussions with officials from the European Commission and the European Parliament. The purpose of the visit was to participate in the EU Energy Council and to present Lithuania’s positions and interests to EU institutions on energy security, the development of renewable energy, the protection of critical infrastructure and other key issues in the energy sector.
At the 16 March meeting of the EU Energy Council, several key items on the agenda were discussed. The first was the European Grids Package, which is meant to improve cross‑border infrastructure and enhance the resilience and security of electricity networks. Minister Vaičiūnas stressed the need for robust measures to protect critical energy infrastructure and ensure its rapid restoration when needed.
“Our priority is to protect critical energy infrastructure and improve its resilience. Intensive, coordinated actions are vital to ensure that damaged infrastructure can be restored quickly, that transmission and distribution networks are reinforced, and that decentralised generation can operate independently of disruptions. Regional energy islands, together with investment in physical, cyber and anti‑drone protection, are key to building a secure and resilient energy system,” says Minister Vaičiūnas.
The implementation of the Affordable Energy Action Plan was also discussed at the Council, one year after its introduction. Lithuania presented its experience in improving system flexibility, expanding energy storage capacity and developing renewable energy – measures that contribute to stabilising electricity prices. The minister underlined the importance of dynamic pricing, reducing network tariffs and enabling consumers to switch suppliers within 48 hours.
At the Energy Council, ministers also discussed energy security through integration and the shared lessons learned with Ukraine and Moldova. Minister Vaičiūnas stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to restore damaged infrastructure, reinforce transmission and distribution networks, and expand decentralised generation. Experience shows that regional energy islands capable of operating independently of disruptions, together with investment in physical, cyber and anti‑drone protection, are key to building a secure and resilient energy system.
In parallel meetings, ministers also discussed the recent increase in fuel prices and its possible implications for energy markets and consumers.
On the sidelines of the Energy Council, Minister Vaičiūnas met with Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy; Philip Nugent, Director General for EU and International Affairs at Ireland’s Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications; and Wojciech Wrochna, the Polish Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure.
On 17 March, Minister Vaičiūnas will meet with Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, and with Members of the European Parliament – Borys Budka, Chair of the EP Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), as well as MEPs Kamila Gasiuk‑Pihowicz and Tsvetelina Penkova – to discuss Lithuania’s energy sector priorities, the development of renewable energy, the protection of critical energy infrastructure and continued support for Ukraine.
Last updated: 24-03-2026
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