Lithuania Fires Up Vital Gas-Fired Plant

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland) -- Lithuania's efforts to reduce its reliance on Russian electricity imports took a step forward this week with the commissioning of a new combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant.

The new unit at the Lithuanian Power Plant (LPP) has a generation capacity of 455-megawatts (MW) and a claimed efficiency rating of 58%, making it the country's most modern and efficient power station. The new plant will go some way towards filling the energy gap left by the closure of the old Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) at the end of 2009, which accounted for over 70% of the country's total electricity output.

The plant was completed with a €71 million ($92.4 million) loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and a further €168 million ($218.6 million) grant from the Ignalina International Decommissioning Support Fund (IIDSF). The ERBD granted the loan in 2010. For additional information, see February 23, 2010, article - Lithuanian CCGT Plant Gets European Financial Boost.

The new CCGT is located at the 1,800 MW thermal Lithuania Power Plant (LPP), located 50-kilometres (km) west of the capital city Vilnius. The plant is owned by Lithuanian national utility, Lietuvos Elektrine AB (VSE:LEL1L) (Elektrenai, Lithuania).

"Increasing the generation capacity of LPP is a key priority for Lithuania and the EBRD is pleased to support Lietuvos Energija AB in the implementation of this strategic project," explained Nandita Parshad, EBRD Director for Power and Energy. "This new modern power plant will alleviate the impact of lost capacity in Lithuania and will support the creation of a secure and reliable power system in the region."

Dalius Misiunas, CEO of Lietuvos Energija AB, added: "The EBRD and Lietuvos Energija AB have developed a strong relationship in the implementation of the environmental and related technical upgrade of LPP. The €71 million loan from the EBRD and the €168 million grant from IIDSF are important contributions towards the efforts by Lithuania to successfully complete the efficient modern CCGT power plant for both Lithuania and the Baltics."

Recently, Lithuania's attempts for a return to nuclear power were dealt a blow when almost two thirds of the country's citizens voted against building a new nuclear power plant in a national referendum. Although non-binding, the new government will have to take the public's rejection into account before finally clearing the planned Visaginas nuclear power project. The vote, at the least, is expected to delay the troubled project further. For additional information, see October 22, 2012, article - Lithuanians Vote 'No' to Nuclear Power.

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