Lithuania’s Journey Towards Green, Independent, and Secure Energy – in Partnership with Denmark

Need for Energy Independence from Russia

Historically, Lithuania has been highly dependent on energy imports from Russia. For decades, Russian oil, natural gas, and electricity constituted a significant share of Lithuania's energy supply. This dependency became acute following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which accentuated Lithuania’s strategic need for more robust energy security. As a direct response to the conflict and as an act of solidarity with the European Union, Lithuania made the decisive choice to halt all imports of Russian oil, gas, and electricity from 2023 onwards. The cessation of Russian energy imports marked a turning point for Lithuania’s energy sector, highlighting both immediate challenges and long-term opportunities. In February 2025, Lithuania, along with Latvia and Estonia, successfully synchronized its power grid with the Continental Europe Synchronous Area (CESA) – marking yet another important step towards independence from Russia.

To ensure the security of energy supply and reduce vulnerability, Lithuania has set ambitious national targets for self-sufficiency. A core element of these targets is the aim to become a net exporter of electricity by 2030 and a net exporter of energy by 2050. Achieving these goals will require not only increased domestic energy production from diverse and sustainable sources, but also upgrades in grid infrastructure and cross-border interconnections. Strengthening energy security while supporting green transition objectives is thus central to Lithuania’s future energy strategy.

Lithuania’s energy mix is still dominated by oil and gas, imported through terminals at the port of Klaipėda, which acts as an import hub for the three Baltic states.

Lithuania’s Green Energy Transition

Lithuania has undertaken a remarkable green transition in the energy sector. From 2010 levels, around 15% of the country’s electricity mix came from renewable sources – mainly bioenergy. Additionaly, the electricity supply was put under strong pressure by the closing of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in 2009 as a consequence of Lithuania’s EU accession. Since then, Lithuania has rapidly advanced its renewable energy deployment through sustained investments and policy measures. By 2022, the share of renewables in the electricity mix had soared to 72%, positioning Lithuania among the leading EU countries in terms of clean electricity generation. This transformation has been underpinned by significant growth in wind, solar, and bioenergy production. The share of renewables in Lithuania’s energy mix has doubled since 2010.

As of 2024, 32% of total energy consumption comes from sustainable sources. This is a strong testament to the country’s commitment to decarbonization. Looking forward, Lithuania has set some of the most ambitious climate targets in the region. The national strategy aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 85% by the year 2040 and reach full climate neutrality by 2050. Furthermore, Lithuania plans to increase its total electricity generation capacity sixfold by 2050 relative to 2020 levels, paving the way for an even stronger renewable energy presence and reinforcing the security and resilience of its energy system.

Resilient Energy System

Lithuania’s National Energy Independence Strategy (2024) is guiding the fundamental changes in Lithuania’s energy sector. It stipulates the way forward to achieve energy security, climate neutrality, electrification and affordable energy for the consumers.

The strategy explains the focus on a resilient energy system: “Unpredictable geopolitical circumstances and security situations, resulting from the unjustified and unprovoked war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, require special attention to the resilience of energy systems, threat prevention, and crisis preparedness. Lithuania must continue to apply and implement already established energy security measures and allocate additional attention to threat prevention, reliability of energy supply, resilience of energy systems, physical protection of energy facilities, and cybersecurity issues.”

Danish Energy Exports – Growth Opportunities Ahead

Denmark has established itself as a partner in Lithuania’s energy transition, supplying a broad range of energy technologies which support the country’s ambitions for a green and resilient energy system. Danish energy technology exports to Lithuania are strong, with average annual exports exceeding 50 million euros over the past ten years. These exports cover vital solutions such as wind energy, district heating, bioenergy, and energy efficiency technologies.

The sustained export level reflects the commercial and technological ties between Denmark and Lithuania. However, there is substantial growth potential ahead. Lithuania’s ambitious goals – to achieve energy self-sufficiency, significantly expand renewable energy capacity and become a net exporter of electricity and energy – requires significant investments in modern technology and infrastructure. This creates new opportunities for Danish firms to provide expertise, products, and services within fields such as offshore wind, smart grids, grid flexibility, advanced district heating, bioenergy and energy efficiency in industry and buildings.

The growing concern and focus on resiliency and security of energy infrastructure further poses an arena for Danish solutions in this particular field – an area in strong growth globally at present – further presents new market opportunitioes for leading Danish exporters.

Government Co-operation

The present close collaboration between Danish and Lithuanian energy authorities has taken its point of departure in the Marienborg Declaration for the build-out with more offshore wind in the Baltic Sea Region, including the three Baltic States that still have no offshore wind parks in operation but have plans and new tenders underway.

Through the Danish Energy Agency’s global initiatives, Danish experience and best practice in offshore wind has been shared, building lasting capacity in support of Lithuania’s ambitious goals for energy independence and sustainability.

Danish industrial and energy companies have shown strong commitment to reinforcing Lithuania’s international position embracing independence and  green transition. With an emphasis on knowledge exchange, innovative solutions, and strategic partnerships, Danish companies are actively contributing to Lithuania’s achievement of climate targets and strengthening both energy security and sustainable development. This robust cooperation at both the governmental and business levels forms a solid foundation for advancing the international green agenda and sets a benchmark for cross-border collaboration on the green transition.