Two solar farms in Visaginas

One 10 MW solar farm project will be implemented by Visaginas City Municipality. Another 10 MW solar farm will be built by the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in an effort to reduce electricity costs and contribute to sustainable energy development in Lithuania.

It is planned to allocate the solar farm project in Visaginas EUR 4 million from the Economic Stimulus and Coronavirus Mitigation Action Plan approved by the Government. In this way, the 10 per cent discount on the price of electricity for the people living in this region will be replaced by a long-term sustainable solution.

The project will be implemented by Visaginas City Municipality. It is planned to be implemented in stages, attracting investment from other sources as well. It is envisaged that once the solar farm is installed, all residents of the municipality will have the opportunity to purchase the electricity produced at this power plant and use it for their own needs.

“Firstly, this is an important energy project to stimulate the economy and investment in the region. Secondly, it is a solution that will provide long-term value for the people of the region. Once this kind of power plant model is successfully implemented in one municipality, it will be possible to use it in others as well. Community renewable energy farms like this are one of the energy directions of the future,” says Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas.

Another 10 MW solar farm project will be implemented by the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP). The INPP is one of the largest electricity consumers in Lithuania. The solar farm will be built in an effort to reduce electricity costs and contribute to sustainable energy development in Lithuania. The company’s management board has approved of this project. The 10 MW solar power plant will meet approximately one fifth of the company’s electricity demand. The project will be financed from European Union and company funds.

“The solar power plant will be a unique and exclusive project for the INPP, as well as a symbol of the transformation taking place in energy. It will not only bring tangible economic benefits to the company itself – it will also contribute to the state’s goals of developing green energy and creating a cleaner environment for us all,” says the Minister of Energy.

A considerable amount of electricity is being consumed for the decommissioning of the power plant, which will continue until 2038. Electricity is needed for the temporary storage of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.

Since 2011, a wide range of energy saving measures has been implemented at the INPP and energy consumption has been reduced by almost 50 per cent, but the cost of energy resources still accounts for a significant share – approximately 14 per cent of total annual expenditure.  

Preparation work is currently under way for both projects, and they are scheduled to start in the second half of the year.