Lithuania has a population of 2.8million and an area of 65,300 km2. In 2019, in the production of primary energy, firewood, wood and agricultural waste accounted for the main part – 61.6 % with hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal energy and energy from chemical processes constituting 21.5 % of energy.
The largest energy consumption was recorded in transport and household sectors – 40.9 and 25.9 % respectively, followed by industry with 19.2 %. A wind farm with a capacity of up to 700 MW is planned to be constructed by 2030 in a Baltic Sea territory nearly 30 kilometres from the shore. A wind farm of this capacity in the Baltic Sea can produce approximately 2.5-3 TWh of electricity per year, which is nearly a quarter of Lithuania’s current electricity demand.
Role in RIPEET
Innovation agency and its employees are directly involved in the activities that are shaping the future of sustainable, competitive, and high value-added economy of Lithuania.
This peer-learning programme would be a great opportunity to learn from best practices and share experiences with the pilot project partners and mirror partners.
About the region
Local ecosystem
Ministry of Economy and Innovation is an innovation policy maker, and Innovation agency is the main innovation policy implementing institution, which brings feedback to the policy makers based on its extensive experience while working with the innovation ecosystem players.
Innovation agency is facilitating most of the Lithuanian cluster communities’ activities – the most significant involvement would be expected from Cleantech cluster, which members encompass the biggest energy companies to cleantech start-ups (currently 39 members).
European Digital Innovation Hubs (3 Hubs currently consisting of 30+ public and private institutions, including universities, scientific institutes, technological companies, innovation consultancy partners, etc.). Their activities are aimed at digital green transition, and most of the consultancy, test before invest, mentoring and other activities will be aimed at SMEs.
Manufacturing companies – these companies are involved with Innovation agency Lithuania on some levels. Innovation agency provides innovation audits to companies, and recommends a technological upgrade plan, also assessing the environmental impact of such technological upgrades.
Energy best practices implemented by the region
- Innovation agency experts are a part of the LIFE integrated project “Increasing Energy Efficiency in Lithuania” which aims to support the implementation of the National Energy and Climate Action Plan in the field of energy efficiency: catalysing processes; implementing energy efficiency measures; developing strategic capabilities; integrating greenhouse gas reduction targets.
- Modernisation Fund – experts at Innovation agency prepared energy efficiency (30M Eur) and renewables (10M Eur) financial schemes in collaboration with manufacturing companies, Ministry of Economy and Innovation, the Environmental Projects Management Agency, Lithuanian Energy Institute and other stakeholders. Since developing closer collaboration with manufacturing companies, Innovation Agency is further facilitating specific energy projects to be included in the ministries‘ priorities when deciding the new funding streamlines from Modernisation Fund or other resources.