As very low gas prices prevailed in global markets during the past six months, Amber Grid, the Lithuanian gas transmission system operator, has increased gas transportation via the interconnection with Latvia. At the same time, growing gas consumption in Lithuania’s power sector was a counterbalance to a lower demand for gas in the first months of the year due to unusually warm weather.
The complex horizontal directional drilling (HDD) under the Neris River that is part of the Gas Interconnection Poland–Lithuania (GIPL) project being implemented by Amber Grid has been successfully completed. In order to reduce environmental impact, a section of the gas pipeline has been drawn along the bottom of the river at a depth of 20 metres, and will be connected to the already laid pipeline. Construction of the gas pipeline in Širvintos District and part of Elektrėnai Municipality is nearing completion.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €65 million loan agreement with Lithuanian gas transmission system operator AB Amber Grid to finance the construction of the Lithuanian section of the planned gas interconnection between Poland and Lithuania.
Amber Grid has submitted a ten-year gas transmission network development plan to the National Energy Regulatory Council (NERC) for assessment. Investments in the gas transmission network are expected to reach approximately EUR 229 million over the next five years, of which half will be for completing the gas pipeline interconnection between Lithuania and Poland.
In implementing the Gas Interconnection Poland–Lithuania (GIPL) project, gas transmission system operator Amber Grid is managing all project risks according to a risk management plan prepared specifically for the project.
