REScoop.eu’s priorities for the Lithuanian Presidency

The Lithuanian Presidency comes at a crucial moment for Europe: a persistent energy -and associated cost-of-living crisis is damaging people’s quality of life, the competitiveness of small market actors, and the European economy at large. More households are failing to access basic energy services, with 15.5% of households classified as at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Heating and cooling is a key area within this, with over 30 million people in Europe (8.8%) being unable to adequately heat their homes in 2025. At the same time, growing geopolitical tensions threaten Europe’s energy security, with the Bloc paying an additional 100 billion euros in fossil fuel imports due to the Iran war.

Lithuania is a European frontrunner in scaling up renewables in the European Union. This growth has underpinned one of the fastest increases in prosumers and energy communities, with the country noting over 200,000 active prosumers. This has resulted in lower energy prices, energy security, and overall increased public acceptance for renewables and energy efficiency.

Research by REScoop.eu showed that following the onset of the Iran war, energy communities across the EU stepped up to shield their members from price increases, and ensure a stable and predictable supply of energy.

• Security and affordability: According to the European Commission, energy communities that produce and consume locally are a way to tackle the energy crisis by shielding consumers from volatile wholesale markets. An average household can save up to €930 by participating in an energy community.
• Preparedness through Social Cohesion: Through their bottom-up and transparent governance model, energy communities foster social cohesion among local populations. Their ability to pool local resources, share information, and check on vulnerable neighbours are key measures during a crisis.
• Competitiveness: energy communities can stimulate demand for cutting edge digital, energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies (e.g., heat pumps) through mass aggregation (e.g., bulk procurement). Stimulating demand amongst households and SMEs is key for the competitiveness of European industry.