Resolution No.IX-1130 of 2002 of Seimas (Parliament) of the Republic of Lithuania on the approval of the National Energy Strategy.

The presented revised National Energy Strategy defines the main targets set by the State and directions for their implementation in modernising the country s energy sector, adjusting it to the growing State demand and the most recent international requirements relating to efficiency, reliability, environmental and management improvement. Already at the initial stage of implementation of this Strategy, Lithuanian energy sector will be made fully compatible with the EU requirements and will be in the position to integrate into the common European energy structure. For the implementation of the provisions laid down in the Strategy, the Government of the Republic of Lithuania will approve a five-year Strategy implementation plan and programmes of action, setting specific deadlines for their implementation, together with the sequence of actions, amount and sources of financing as well as the designated implementing institutions. Taking into account the key factors that shape the energy policy, the following strategic objectives of the Lithuanian energy sector have been set: 1) to ensure a reliable and secure energy supply at least cost and with minimum environmental pollution, as well as constantly enhancing the operational efficiency of the energy sector; 2) to liberalise electricity and natural gas sectors by opening the market in accordance with the requirements of EU directives; 3) to privatise energy enterprises subject to privatisation in the natural gas transmission and distribution and power sector, as well as to continue privatisation of oil refining and transportation enterprises; 4) within the terms agreed with the European Union, to develop and start performing a set of measures facilitating the implementation of the European Union environmental directives in the energy sector, as well as to ensure compliance with nuclear safety requirements; 5) to ensure that 90-day stocks of crude oil and petroleum products are built up by 2010 according to the agreed schedule; 6) to prepare for the decommissioning of the reactors of the Ignalina NPP, the disposal of radioactive waste and the long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel; 7) to integrate the Lithuanian energy systems into the energy systems of the European Union within the next 10 years; 8) to further develop regional cooperation and collaboration with a view to creating a common Baltic electricity market within the next five years; 9) to pursue an active policy of integration into the Western and Central European electricity markets and ensure that conditions conforming to the Energy Charter, EU legislation and practices are applied to the transit of energy resources through Lithuania; 10) to increase the efficiency of district heating systems; 11) to achieve that the share of the electricity generated in the combined heat and power operation mode would account for at least 35% in the electricity generation balance at the end of the period; 12) to strive for a share of renewable energy resources of up to 12% in the total primary energy balance by 2010; 13) to improve energy sector management, i.e. strengthen institutions in the sector, improve the skills and knowledge of specialists of those institutions. The document consists of XIV Sections. Section I lays down general provisions. Section II sets objectives of the energy strategy. Section III regards economic development forecast. Section IV regards energy demand forecast. Section V determines strategy for the power sector development. Section VI determines strategy for the heat supply sector development. Section VII determines strategy for the natural gas sector development. Section VIII determines strategy for the crude oil and petroleum product sector development. Section IX determines strategy for the development of the sector of indigenous, renewable and waste energy resources. Section X deals with improving energy efficiency. Section XI regards environmental protection. Section XII regards market liberalisation and improvement of energy sector management. Section XIII regards training of specialists and research. Section XIV lays down final provisions.