Lithuania

Overall assessment

Renewable energy communities are mentioned 30 times in the Lithuanian REPowerEU chapter. Energy communities are particularly emphasized as one of the solutions to tackle energy poverty. By 2030, renewable energy communities that work against energy poverty are expected to contribute 0.473 per cent of total energy production. Additionally, the REPowerEU chapter mentions guidelines on the set up of renewable energy communities and references a future financing call that will dedicate EUR 78.5 million to support such communities specifically to tackle energy poverty. The target in terms of installed capacity is 155 MW.

An additional EUR 95.9 million is foreseen in the REPowerEU chapter for subsidised loans and EUR 36.6 million for VAT from the budget. This will be given out in the form of 45 per cent grant and 55 per cent subsidised loan to municipalities to develop energy poverty reduction renewable energy communities (at least 40 per cent of produced energy will have to be distributed to fight energy poverty, while the remaining can be given to municipality establishments such as schools, libraries etc.). The chapter also mentions the creation of an information hub for energy saving, and the creation of RECs.

The process of drafting the chapter was transparent, including various actors of civil society in constructive conversations. No investments towards fossil fuels are foreseen.