Over the last 12 months, specifically from September 2024 to August 2025, Lithuania has made significant strides in its electricity consumption profile by integrating a substantial amount of low-carbon energy. More than 70% of its electricity comes from low-carbon sources, with wind energy contributing slightly more than a third. Almost 15% of electricity is generated from solar, and close to 14% is generated from hydropower. Net imports account for a small fraction, around 13%, while fossil energy, primarily from gas, stands at approximately 13%. Together, these numbers illustrate Lithuania's commitment to clean energy and its ongoing transition away from fossil-based electricity.
Is Electricity Growing in Lithuania?
Despite these efforts, Lithuania's latest electricity consumption is still far from its historic peak. In 2025, the per capita electricity consumption stood at 3,882 kWh, a stark contrast to the record high of 7,933 kWh per person noted in 1991. The change represents a reduction of more than 4,000 kWh per person. Similarly, the current low-carbon electricity generation of 2,721 kWh per person is down from the previous record of 4,824 kWh in 2003, marking a decrease of more than 2,100 kWh. These declines are a cause for concern, as meeting future demand requires the growth of clean energy to support electrification and technological advancements, including AI.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Lithuania should focus on expanding its wind and solar capacities, given their already significant roles in the country's energy landscape. Learning from regions like Denmark and Iowa, which have harnessed wind power effectively, could provide valuable insights for Lithuania. Additionally, exploring nuclear energy as a stable and substantial low-carbon alternative, as exemplified by countries like France and Slovakia, could further secure Lithuania's clean energy future. Such efforts would not only support sustainable growth in electricity consumption but also align with global moves toward reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
History
Historically, Lithuania's journey in low-carbon electricity has been marked by notable shifts. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, nuclear generation saw significant ups and downs, with notable gains in 1988 and 1989, followed by declines from 1992 to 1994. The mid-1990s saw a rebirth with major increases in 1995 and 1996, only to see declines again towards the end of the decade. A brief surge in the early 2000s was followed by a steep decline starting in 2005. Although there were some improvements in recent years, such as wind growth in 2023 and hydropower in 2025, the phasing out of nuclear generation once central to Lithuania's electricity remains a pivotal moment. Moving forward, sustained investment in clean energy, including reviving nuclear, will be essential for maintaining and enhancing Lithuania's low-carbon electricity profile.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.