The European Commission (EC) has given a green light to the Vilnius combined heat and power (CHP) plant project

The European Commission (EC) has given the go-ahead to the Vilnius combined heat and power (CHP) plant project developed by the state-run energy holding Lietuvos Energija.

According to sources, Finance Minister Vilius Sapoka said:

"This is one of the final and the most important phases of project assessment before signing of contract on financing."

"The expert conclusion proves once again the major strategic importance the Vilnius combined heat and power plant has to our state, as it will provide the most efficient solution of waste and high heating prices."

As we reported in December 2016, The European Investment Bank (EIB) signed a €190 million (US$197 million) loan agreement with Lietuvos Energija for the greenfield construction of new combined-heat-and-power (CHP) plants in Vilnius (Lithuania). The EU will provide around  €150 million (US$176 million) euros in assistance. The CHP project is estimated at about €350 million (US$411 million).

The project consists of one biomass-fired and one waste-to-energy-fired CHP plant with a combined total capacity of 88 MW electric and 227 MW thermal, supplying electricity to the national grid and heat to the district heating system in Vilnius. The plants will provide 413 GWh/y of electricity to the national grid  and 1180 GWh/y of useful heat to the district heating system in Vilnius, thus ensuring a reliable heat supply at lower than current costs.

The use of modern CHP technology the project will result in more environmentally friendly waste management and efficient generation of electricity and heat as well as lower CO₂-emissions than fossil fuel plants. The project will increase the generation of electricity of local fuels in Lithuania, improving the security of supply and making the country less dependent on energy imports. The project will be completed by 2020.