Lithuania is the first EU country to have completely stopped importing Russian gas, the energy ministry announced on April 2. The move to become fully independent from Russian gas was made in response to Russia’s energy blackmailing Europe and the war in Ukraine. Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys noted that Lithuania is the first EU country among Gazprom’s supply countries to gain independence from Russian gas supplies, as a result of a multi-year coherent energy policy and timely infrastructure decisions.
The alternative to Russian gas is importing gas from multiple countries through Klaipėda’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, symbolically called “Independence”. The terminal was established a decade ago. “If we can do it, the rest of Europe can do it too,” said President Gitanas Nausėda. Latvia and Estonia have announced the same decision.
LNG terminal operator Klaipedos Nafta indicates that three large LNG cargoes will reach the terminal each month, which is planned to be enough for all customers. Additional gas can also be delivered to Lithuania via the gas link with Latvia and from May 1 – through the gas link with Poland.
A cargo of 150,000 cubic metres of natural gas reached the SGD terminal Klaipėda on March 27 on the “Cool Runner” from Freeport, Texas. BNS/LRT
