Lithuania to Build 10 Flexible Power Plants to Bolster Grid Resilience

Lithuania's transmission operator Litgrid has unveiled a plan to develop at least ten new power plants with a combined capacity of 800 MW. The goal is to create regional "energy islands" that can operate independently during emergencies. This initiative aims to enhance the resilience of Lithuania's electricity system against potential threats such as sabotage, cyber-attacks, and extreme weather conditions. The plan was announced on November 10, 2026.

The programme will be financed by approximately €880 million of private investment. The power plants will be developed through competitive, technology-neutral tenders rather than government-mandated fuel choices. This approach allows for flexibility in selecting the most suitable technologies for the project. The new power plants will be strategically located near key transmission nodes across seven designated "energy islands" in Lithuania.

The seven designated "energy islands" are Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda-Mazeikiai, Šiauliai-Panevėžys, Alytus, Jurbarkas, and Utena. Each island will have the capability to operate autonomously if the 330-kV backbone fails. This will ensure a stable power supply to local communities even in the event of a major grid failure. The project will be implemented in two phases, with Phase 1 focusing on four islands from 2028 to 2033.

Phase 1 of the project will focus on the Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda-Mazeikiai, and Šiauliai-Panevėžys islands. This phase will involve upgrades to existing power stations and the construction of new plants. The second phase, starting from 2033, will extend the concept to the remaining regions. Each new facility must be capable of starting within 30 minutes and sustaining continuous operation for up to two weeks during an emergency.

The new power plants will need to deliver flexible output and meet specific performance requirements. Natural gas is considered a likely technology due to its quick start-up and extended run-time. However, Litgrid has not excluded other options that meet the performance requirements. The selected developers will sell electricity on the market under normal conditions and receive separate payments for providing standby and isolated-operation services.

Litgrid opened a public consultation on the framework on November 10, 2026, which will run until December 10, 2026. After the consultation period, tendering is expected to begin in 2027, with plant construction anticipated to be completed within five years. The 15-year service contracts will provide a stable revenue stream for the selected developers.

The project is expected to enhance the resilience of Lithuania's electricity system and provide a stable power supply to local communities. The development of the new power plants will also contribute to the country's energy security and reduce its reliance on external power sources. Key points of the project include a combined capacity of 800 MW, seven designated "energy islands", and a total investment of approximately €880 million.

Key points

• The programme will be financed by roughly €880 million of private investment.
• Each new facility must be capable of starting within 30 minutes and sustaining continuous operation for up to two weeks during an emergency.
• The project will be implemented in two phases, with Phase 1 focusing on four islands from 2028 to 2033.