Lithuania increases funding for energy storage program

Energy storage systems are critical for facilitating the integration of variable renewable energy sources like wind and solar into the grid, balancing supply and demand, and improving the reliability of the electricity system. Therefore, Lithuania is making energy storage a strategic priority to strengthen its energy independence and reduce its dependence on fossil fuel imports.

According to local sources, the Lithuanian Ministry of Energy has increased funding for a program supporting the installation of large-capacity electricity storage systems for legal entities by €37.33 million. The decision was made because the number of applications received (more than 50, totaling €197.86 million) far exceeded the initial €102 million budget.

This new funding boost comes just after Lithuania completed the synchronization of the Baltic states with the European electricity grid last February, making the country more integrated with Europe not only technically but also in terms of its energy policies.

Lithuania's grid flexibility is expected to increase significantly with the expansion of projects similar to the 200 MWh battery system previously installed by Fluence in 2022. The targeted 4.4 GWh of storage capacity has the theoretical potential to provide electricity to approximately 4.4 million households for one hour.

According to Energy Ministry officials, this investment will be an important part of the national plan, which aims to provide 70 percent of electricity production from renewable sources by 2030 and to completely decarbonize the energy system by 2045.

This development is considered to have the potential to make Lithuania one of the pioneers in the field of energy storage, not only in the Baltic region but also throughout Europe.