«Energy security is not only about protecting infrastructure, but also about maintaining operations when part of that infrastructure has already been damaged or is temporarily unavailable. The energy islands model is therefore one of our most important energy resilience projects. Its objective is straightforward: even in an extreme situation, individual regions of Lithuania must be able to operate independently and maintain electricity supply to residents, businesses and critical infrastructure», says Energy Minister Lukas Savickas.
«Energy islands are electricity system regions capable of operating independently when the main 330 kV transmission network is unavailable. This could occur as a result of natural disasters, sabotage or other exceptional circumstances. Our aim is to ensure that electricity supply to consumers can continue even under the most challenging conditions. To implement this model, we have developed a plan that sets out how existing power plants should be upgraded, how battery storage systems should be integrated, and where new flexible generation capacity will need to be installed», says Andrius Šemeškevičius, CEO of Litgrid.
The concept for isolated operation services of the Lithuanian electricity system, prepared by Litgrid, envisages a system comprising seven energy islands. In the event of an emergency, these islands would operate independently of one another while collectively covering the entire territory of Lithuania. The islands have been defined based on the structure of the electricity transmission network and its principal grid nodes.
According to the concept, 10 new power plants with a combined capacity of 800 MW will need to be installed near key transmission network nodes across the regions. In addition, a number of existing power plants will need to be upgraded to enhance their ability to maintain electricity supply during emergencies, enabling limited isolated operation of four energy islands as early as 2028.
The deployment of new flexible generation capacity will be carried out on the basis of technology neutrality and maximum competition. Litgrid will organise service auctions, with successful market participants required to develop the new flexible generation facilities within five years and subsequently provide regional isolated operation services for a period of 15 years.
«The service auction will be technology-neutral. However, the facilities must be capable of providing flexible electricity generation over extended periods whenever required. These new flexible generation assets will also be able to participate in the electricity market, thereby contributing to generation adequacy and helping to mitigate price spikes during periods of dunkelflaute. Litgrid developed the energy islands model taking into account Ukraine’s experience in strengthening the resilience of its electricity system», says Andrius Šemeškevičius, CEO of Litgrid.
Subject to the planned legislative and regulatory changes currently under consideration, the first auctions are expected to be launched in 2027. Following the commissioning of the new power plants, the energy islands model is expected to be fully implemented by 2033.
According to Litgrid’s assessment, the impact of these new services on the electricity transmission tariff after 2033 will amount to 0.67 euro cents per kWh. However, the new flexible power plants are expected to contribute to lower price peaks and reduced average wholesale electricity prices.
The planned energy islands and proposed locations for new flexible generation capacity can be explored via Litgrid’s interactive map.
Today, Litgrid is also launching a public consultation on the concept for isolated operation services and invites market participants to review the proposed service arrangements and technical requirements and submit their feedback. The consultation will run until 10 December 2026. A public presentation of the concept for market participants is scheduled for 25 November, while the updated concept is expected to be published in mid-January.
