Electricity imports from third countries must be reduced
Last week in a remote meeting with the new Minister of Energy Dainius Kreivys and his team, the leadership of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists (LPK) discussed economic transformation and solving existing sectoral problems, improving business conditions and creating a favorable investment environment and other important issues.
During the meeting, the President of LPK Vidmantas Janulevičius pointed out that energy costs form a significant part of the activities of companies, therefore the attention of the Ministry of Energy to industrial issues is very important.
“The circumstances caused by the pandemic further highlighted the fact that Lithuanian industry is sustainable and remains the engine of Lithuanian exports and the entire economy. We must therefore work together to maintain competitiveness, to ensure that European Economic Recovery and Resilience instrument and other possible sources of funding are available to transform and decarbonize the energy sector. We are pleased that we share a vision that energy security is a priority that we seek by increasing the volume of electricity production in Lithuania and reducing electricity imports from third countries,” said the President of LPK.
At the meeting, the Minister was presented with the LPK’s proposals for the plan of measures for the implementation of the Government’s 2020-2024 program in the fields of energy and climate change.
LPK calls to ensure that private business investments would be actively involved in the transformation of the Lithuanian energy sector, maximizing competition. A favorable regulatory environment must be ensured for the industry as it is an active participant in the energy market. The best environment for business investments in climate change mitigation ought to be created as well.
It is proposed to create a promotional system and programs for industrial enterprises to help them meet the challenges of industrial transformation, to adapt to environmental, energy reduction and production efficiency requirements. Proposals also included reduction of institutional requirements for environmental and health impact assessment procedures where these activities do not have significant negative effects to the environment.
The proposals also include a review of the distribution of infrastructure costs and energy taxes between different groups of energy consumers, a proposal to ensure security of energy supply, and compensation mechanisms for rising energy prices.
LPK proposes to promote the reduction of the impact on climate change, the application of green innovations through green procurement, the development of hydrogen technologies, the preparation and implementation of the National Electricity Infrastructure Renewal Plan, which would meet the objectives of the National Energy Strategy.
LPK proposes that infrastructure investments be planned for a period of 3 or 5 years ahead (for example, by signing a National Agreement) so that there is enough time for project preparation and implementation, so that changes in governments do not interfere with the preparation and execution of major ongoing works, and state and business be able to plan activities optimally.
The organization calls for funding for energy investment programs using all funding opportunities available from the European Union, including the Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan and the 2021-2027 EU investment funds.
