Taking on Gazprom: Lithuania’s battle for energy independence

As in 2009 after having joined the European Union (EU) Lithuania closed down its nuclear plant in Ignalia, it has become dependant of the gas and electricity imports from Russia whose prices have unfortunately grown exponentially. As a consequence the Baltic State is in June 2013 debating about opening a liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal in the Baltic port of Klaipeda in 2015. Other avenues the government in Vilnius is exploring are shale gas and nuclear energy.

Lithuanian Energy Minister Jaroslaw Neverovič told EurActiv that he has warned his Russian counterparts that selling gas to the Baltic country at an excessive price is not sustainable.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Gazprom may unbundle to escape EU claims http://www.europeansources.info/record/gazprom-may-unbundle-to-escape-eu-claims/

ESO: Background information: Commission opens antitrust case against Gazprom http://www.europeansources.info/record/commission-opens-antitrust-case-against-gazprom/

EurActiv, 08.07.13: Lithuania looks for alternatives to counter Russia's high gas price http://www.euractiv.com/energy/lithuanian-minister-gazprom-know-news-529127

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