Amber Grid, the Lithuanian gas transmission system operator, has signed contracts for the upgrade of two gas distribution stations in Šiauliai and Telšiai in western Lithuania. The works will be carried out by Alvora UAB, which won a public tender for €4.5 million. The project is being implemented following the approval of a €2 million EU grant for the modernisation of these stations.

The transactions were approved this week by the Coordination Commission for the Protection of Objects of National Security Importance, which concluded that the transactions are in the interests of Lithuania's national security.

The Šiauliai and Telšiai gas distribution stations are undergoing gas metering and pressure reduction to the level required by the distribution system operator. Other important technological processes at the station include gas cleaning, reheating and odorization, i.e. odorization for security purposes. 

"Having upgraded the Šiauliai and Telšiai gas distribution stations, the elements of the gas transmission system of the Western Lithuania that were installed decades ago, we will improve the efficiency, safety and reliability of the gas transmission network. We will start the works immediately and plan to complete them in mid-2023," said Andrius Dagys, Technical Director of Amber Grid. 

The project to modernise the Šiauliai and Telšiai gas distribution stations continues Amber Grid's long-term programme to upgrade the system, which includes the gas distribution network operated by the Energy Distribution Operator (ESO) as well as large gas transmission system users. It involves replacing equipment installed at stations decades ago with modern equipment that meets the highest environmental, efficiency and safety standards. 

The winner of the public tender for the contract works will upgrade the technological equipment of both gas distribution stations, construct new buildings and clean up the environment. The Telšiai and Šiauliai gas distribution stations will be equipped with economical boilers that use less gas, reducing emissions. New gas pressure relief devices, metering devices, automated control, remote data transmission and alarm systems will also be installed. This will reduce the likelihood of accidents and disruptions. New electrical and earthing equipment will be installed and the site will be landscaped. 

The Lithuanian gas transmission system operated by Amber Grid consists of 2,285 km of underground gas pipelines, 64 gas distribution stations, 4 gas metering stations and 2 compressor stations.