Lithuanian gas transmission system operator Amber Grid has submitted a ten-year gas transmission network development plan to the National Energy Regulatory Council (NERC) for assessment. In 2020-2029, there are plans to implement transmission system development investment projects aimed at diversifying gas supply sources in Lithuania and the region and ensuring the security and reliability of the gas transmission system. Some of the most important projects in the ten-year plan of European gas operators as well are to complete the Gas Interconnection Poland–Lithuania (GIPL) project, increase gas transmission capacity between Lithuania and Latvia, and modernise elements of the existing network.
Investments in the gas transmission network are expected to reach approximately EUR 229 million over the next five years, of which half will be for completing the gas pipeline interconnection between Lithuania and Poland.
“The gas infrastructure in Lithuania is becoming increasingly important for the entire region – Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and soon Poland as well. This is because of the successful operation of the Klaipėda LNG terminal, the strengthening of connections with the other Baltic States and Finland, active trading on the GET Baltic natural gas exchange, and joining the single EU gas market via the connection with Poland next year. Our goal is not only to ensure reliable gas transmission to Lithuanian consumers and access to various gas sources, but also to increase use of the Lithuanian gas transmission system in transporting gas to other countries. An active regional gas market and increasing efficiency of the use of the gas infrastructure will have a positive impact on transmission service prices,” says Amber Grid CEO Nemunas Biknius.
According to Amber Grid, the infrastructure that has been developed ensures flows that meet the needs of gas system users, is capable of transmitting them, and is resistant to adverse conditions. Specialists estimate that gas consumption in Lithuania, which has been declining for some time, will stabilise in the coming years and reach 21 TWh per year.
With strong competition in the LNG market, it is forecasted that higher volumes of gas will continue to reach Lithuania and the other Baltic States through the Klaipėda LNG terminal, compared to the gas flow supplied from Belarus. In 2020, approximately 65 per cent of gas will come in through the Klaipėda LNG terminal, while 31 per cent will come through the Belarusian border point and 4 per cent – through the Latvian border point. Last year, the largest amount of natural gas ever was transmitted to Latvia due to extremely favourable LNG prices.
In line with the directions of sustainable development set out in the European Green Deal, a growing demand for green gas is expected in Europe. In contributing to the promotion of green energy development in Lithuania, biomethane production systems are already planned to be connected to the common gas transmission network in 2021. The possible introduction of hydrogen transportation technologies through natural gas pipelines is also being assessed. Hydrogen or synthetic methane produced by Power-to-Gas (P2G) systems can be fed into the gas transmission infrastructure and mixed with conventional natural gas.
