EU's Piebalgs says sufficient power in Lithuania when Ignalina closes

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

BRUSSELS (AFX News) - EU energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs said there will be sufficient power in Lithuania when its Ingalina nuclear power station's second unit is shut down at the end of 2009.

'At the end of 2009 (when the plant closes), the power gap will not cut Lithuanian consumers' power,' the commissioner told reporters here.

The commissioner said that the EU has earmarked funds to support Lithuania for 'difficulties which could be experienced' in the interim period while a new nuclear power station is built.

Separately, the commissioner said interconnection between Lithuanian and Polish networks is necessary for security of supply and the proper functioning of the internal energy market.

The development of a power link between Poland and the Baltic states has experienced difficulties over the years due to a lack of coordination between both sides.

A project to integrate offshore wind energy produced in the Baltic sea and North Sea into the continental grid is being worked out.

'The main challenge here is to propose solutions that could satisfy all the actors at national but also at regional and local levels and to initiate common European solutions and scenarios,' the commissioner said.

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