Lithuania, Luxembourg ink renewable energy transfer deal

Luxembourg and Lithuania on Thursday signed a statistical transfer agreement that will see the Baltic country transmit renewable electricity to the Grand Duchy so as to help it achieve its 2020 national renewable energy goal.

The pact, the first of its kind between two European Union (EU) member states, was officially announced by the European Commission (EC). Under its terms, Lithuania will transfer 700 GWh, or more if needed, of renewable energy generation to Luxembourg between 2018 and 2020 as the Baltic nation has already reached its 23% target under the EU Renewable Energy Directive set for 2020. In 2015, the renewables share of its total energy consumption was 25.75%.

Luxembourg’s 2015 renewables share stood at 5%, while its 2020 target calls for an 11% share, prompting the country to resort to cooperation mechanisms on statistical transfer as part of its national renewable energy action plan.

In its press statement, the EC noted that such mechanisms provide EU member countries with greater flexibility in achieving their binding renewable energy goals and thus reach the EU’s overall goal of a 20% renewables share in 2020.

“Looking into the future, this shows that strengthened cooperation can help Europe tap renewable energy potential in more cost-effective ways, which is particularly important given Europe's more ambitious renewable energy target of at least 27% for 2030, as proposed in the Clean Energy Package,” said Dominique Ristori, director-general for energy.

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