Amber Grid, the Lithuanian gas transmission system operator, has announced a public tender for the purchase of an electric compressor for gas transmission. Currently, there are two gas compressor stations in Lithuania - in Jauniūnai in Širvintai district and near Panevėžys. The electric compressor will be built on the territory of the Jauniūnai gas compressor station and will be used to replace the existing gas compressors.
"By acquiring an electric compressor, we aim for lower gas transmission costs and less air pollution. The currently used units of the Jauniūnai gas compressor station no longer correspond to the actual market needs and the dynamics of gas flows transmitted from the north to the south of Europe," said Nemunas Biknius, Amber Grid CEO.
The new plant will have a capacity of 5 megawatts (MW). It will operate using only green energy, which will reduce air pollution. It will also reduce compressor maintenance costs. The project will involve cooperation with the energy distribution operator ESO to prepare the grid for the new facility in the Širvintai district and to increase the electricity capacity of the Jauniūnai gas compressor station.
The new compressor is scheduled to be installed in 2024. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The integration of the first electric compressor into the system is expected to be an innovative solution for Lithuania's gas transmission network connecting the Polish, Baltic and Finnish gas markets.
The installation of the electric compressor is expected to provide a back-up to the existing gas-fired units and will deliver significant benefits upon completion. The new plant will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. The compressor will not use any fossil fuels and will therefore not pollute the environment and will reduce noise levels in the area of the Jauniūnai gas compressor.
The main purpose of gas compressor stations is to increase the pressure of the gas and to create a higher transmission capacity so that large volumes of gas can be transported further. Gas compressor stations are normally installed every few hundred kilometres.
