OREANDA-NEWS. September 25, 2009. In cooperation with Eesti Energia (Estonia), Lietuvos Energija signed an agreement regarding the supply of electricity from January 1, 2010 after closure of Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania, reported the press-centre of Eesti Energia.

“Ensuring of electricity supply from as many countries as possible increases the energy security of Lithuania, - says Mr. Edvardas Va?gela, a representative of Lietuvos Energija. - “Supply possibilities are currently being negotiated with the Ukraine and Russia, contracts are in force with Latvia, Scandinavian countries, Russia, Belarus”.

According to Mr. E.Va?gela, the flexible supply contract, signed with Estonian partners, based on which electricity, imported from Estonia, will be delivered to public suppliers at regulated tariffs to cover the demand of consumers.

The expected electricity demand of Lithuania in 2010 is roughly 9.1 billion kilowatt hours (kWh). It is expected, that up to 3 bn kWh next year will be generated by Lietuvos Elektrine (Elektrenai), 0.35 bn kWh – by renewables (hydro power plants, wind parks), up to 1.15 bn kWh – by thermal power plants of Lithuania.

About 35 per cent of Lithuanian electricity demand will be covered by power purchased at market conditions from Estonia, Latvia, Scandinavia, the Ukraine, Russia, Belarus. 

By December 31 of this year, as stipulated under Government-approved Electricity Market Development Plan, an electricity market supervisory and regulatory mechanism will be defined.

From January 1 of the next year, the revised legal acts, regulating electricity import will come into force.