Over the past year, from August 2024 to July 2025, Lithuania has experienced a diverse electricity consumption pattern with a notable inclination towards low-carbon energy sources. More than half of the electricity consumed in Lithuania - around 72% - is derived from low-carbon sources, setting a promising trend towards sustainable energy. Leading the charge is wind power, accounting for nearly a third of the electricity generation, followed by solar power contributing 15% and hydropower adding around 14%. In contrast, fossil-based energy, primarily natural gas, constitutes about 13% of electricity consumption, highlighting room for potential improvement in reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Furthermore, electricity imports amount to approximately 11%, showcasing an external dependency. Biofuels play a smaller, yet significant role, forming close to 9% of the mix.
Is Electricity Growing in Lithuania?
Despite the commendable focus on low-carbon electricity, Lithuania's overall electricity consumption per capita has diminished when looking at historical records. As of 2025, the average electricity consumption stands at 3,792 kWh per person, which is significantly lower than the peak consumption recorded in 1991, when it reached 7,933 kWh per person. This drop of over 4,100 kWh/person reflects a substantial decline over the last few decades. Even though low-carbon electricity generation per capita currently stands at 2,721 kWh, it falls notably short of the 2003 high of 4,824 kWh per person, marking a decrease of more than 2,100 kWh. This decline in electricity consumption and especially the stagnation in low-carbon generation is concerning, as robust electricity growth, particularly in the domain of green energy, is crucial to meet the demands of an increasingly electrified world.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Lithuania could expand its existing wind and solar capabilities. Given their significant current contributions, further investment and development in these sectors could greatly augment clean electricity supplies. Additionally, Lithuania might benefit from insights gained from other regions' successes. For instance, Denmark's impressive utilization of wind power at 57% could serve as an inspiration for leveraging Lithuania's wind resource potential. Considering nuclear energy's success in European countries like France with 69% and Slovakia with 64% dependency on nuclear power, Lithuania should contemplate reviving and advancing its nuclear energy infrastructure. By investing in both solar and nuclear energy, Lithuania could not only bolster its sustainable energy portfolio but also reduce its dependency on imports and fossil fuels, paving the way for a low-carbon future.
History
Examining the history of Lithuania's low-carbon electricity generation, nuclear energy played a significant role until the early 21st century. Notably, the late 1980s witnessed substantial growth in nuclear energy production, peaking in the 1990s. However, by the mid- to late 1990s, Lithuania faced declines in nuclear generation, particularly notable in 1992, 1993, and at the start of the new millennium. The early 2000s appeared more stable with some growth, yet negative shifts, especially the drastic drop in 2005, marked a critical period for Lithuania's energy sector. More recently, low-carbon sectors such as wind and hydro have seen moderate improvements, as demonstrated by the 2023 wind growth and the hydro increase in 2025. These changes reflect Lithuania's evolving energy landscape, indicating a shift away from older low-carbon technologies towards embracing more contemporary, clean sources of electricity.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.