Monday, July 17, 2023 | 18:30-20:00 NY Time
760 United Nations Plaza, Manhattan, New York City | Conference Room C

How did Lithuanian state actors embrace collaboration with energy system stakeholders and civil society to combine climate action with the drive to ‘fast-forward’ energy security needs? How has this led to prioritizing support for innovative renewable energy schemes that meet specific social and environmental criteria, such as the inclusion of energy-poor households, the empowerment of local communities, and the creation of a vibrant solar energy industrial ecosystem? 

During the roundtable discussion, we will ask our guest experts what future they see for decentralized electricity generation in specific local circumstances. Of particular importance, interlinkages among SDGs 1, 7, 11, 13 and 17 will be exposed during the debate, learning from the lessons of the Lithuanian case.

Background

In its 2022 country report, the International Energy Agency notes: "A unique feature of Lithuania’s market relates to the fast increase of prosumers, who should reach 30% of the total electricity consumers by 2030." Imagine one in three households producing and consuming their own electricity from Sun, just 7 years from now! And one in two by the mid-century. Yes, it is a feasible Lithuanian Government plan, supported by a wide range of non-profit and industry actors. For a country that imports two-thirds of its electricity, a policy that combined energy security and climate action was needed. Local electricity generation is critical, and active citizen involvement is crucially important. In 2019, the launch of the solar energy prosumers’ (“producing consumers”) scheme created a vibrant ecosystem of manufacturers, providers, consultants, developers, and even NGO collective solar purchase initiatives. Opening the grid to remote solar photovoltaic plant ownership led to a 16-fold increase in numbers of producing consumers since then. The scheme to provide financial support for the most vulnerable households was also tested in 2020-2021, providing a blueprint for further actions against energy poverty.