Ignitis Group, a utility company with a focus on renewable energy, has announced the commencement of battery energy storage systems (BESS) construction in Lithuania. The projects will be situated near Kelmė, Mažeikiai, and Kruonis. These installations will have a combined capacity of 291 megawatts (MW) and a storage capacity of 582 megawatt-hours (MWh), marking them as one of the initial large-scale BESS initiatives in the nation.
The total investment for these battery parks is approximately EUR 130 million. According to Darius Maikštėnas, CEO of Ignitis Group, “Power generation from renewables is growing in Lithuania, which makes battery energy storage systems an important guarantee of reliability.” He further explained that these systems enhance network flexibility and stability while promoting efficient green energy usage.
The development sites include Kelmė and Mažeikiai wind farms operated by Ignitis Renewables and the Kruonis Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant managed by Ignitis Gamyba. Typically positioned near active power plants after assessing system requirements and technical capabilities, BESS aids in efficiently managing local system loads. They also support national energy objectives and bolster regional infrastructure resilience.
Construction for all BESS projects is expected to start this year, with commercial operations projected for 2027. Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbH from Germany will supply equipment and integration services for the projects. To safeguard against threats identified under Lithuania’s National Security Strategy, information and control systems will be protected from remote access by certain countries.
BESS plays a critical role in enhancing energy infrastructure efficiency by storing electricity from networks or directly from wind and solar farms. This stored power can be released when needed most or during periods of reduced power generation. Such systems help balance power fluctuations while reducing dependency on fossil-fuel-based reserve plants.
A notable feature of BESS is their ability to integrate wind and solar capacities more effectively since production times often don’t align with peak demand periods. A. Dučinskas stated that “Battery energy storage systems bridge two principal aims of renewables, which is generating clean energy and ensuring its consistent supply.”
These technologies are engineered for maximum safety under stringent environmental standards without causing pollution or significant noise disturbance. Additional security measures include fire safety systems and ongoing maintenance efforts.
Dučinskas added that “These systems benefit both the system and the people… you no longer have to choose between clean and reliable energy.”
