Lithuania’s parliament has approved a package of amendments intended to boost investment in renewable energy, reduce regulatory barriers and strengthen energy security. The changes affect the country’s energy, electricity and renewable energy laws and come amid a slowdown in new renewable projects, according to the Ministry of Energy.
Developers with valid permits will be able to extend project development timelines by up to 48 months and change their plans, including switching between electricity generation, energy storage and electricity consumption projects. They will have one year to decide whether to postpone or modify their investments, and those who do so must provide an additional bank guarantee.
At the same time, the performance guarantee paid to network operators will fall by half, from €50 to €25 per kilowatt. The legislation also includes administrative changes intended to make project implementation easier.
Renewable energy communities and citizen energy communities developing installations of up to 100 kW under the prosumer park model will no longer need permits to build generation capacity or produce electricity from 1 November 2026. The rules also change how renewable energy levy payments are distributed to residents near power plants: allocations will be made according to each eligible person’s declared residence rather than by household.
The revised payment mechanism covers funds collected in 2026, amounts returned in 2027 and unused balances from earlier periods. Renewable electricity producers finance the levy based on their electricity output.
To help speed up grid connections, large-scale investors will be able to access equipment reserves held by electricity network operators. Electricity and gas transmission and distribution operators will also be required to maintain stocks of critical equipment and materials needed to restore supplies after accidents, technical failures or deliberate physical interference. These measures took effect on 1 November.
The amendments also make the framework for direct electricity lines more flexible for large consumers and producers, with the aim of supporting new industrial and energy investments.
The package introduces penalties for breaches of methane emissions reduction requirements and restrictions on Russian gas imports. It also sets out the responsibilities of the National Energy Regulatory Council, the Lithuanian Energy Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre in implementing EU cybersecurity requirements for cross-border electricity flows.
Sources: pv magazine.