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In short

This Law establishes the legal framework for the renewable energy sector in the Republic of Lithuania, aiming to promote the sustainable development and use of energy from renewable sources. It sets out state administration, regulation, supervision, and control for this sector.

What it regulates

State administration, regulation, supervision, and control of the renewable energy sector.
Organization of activities within the renewable energy sector.
State regulation and supervision of energy grid operators and renewable energy producers.
A common system for promoting the consumption of energy from renewable sources.

Who it concerns

Energy grid operators.
Producers of energy from renewable sources.

Key points

By 2020, energy from renewable sources must account for at least 23% of the country’s gross final energy consumption.
By 2020, the share of energy from renewable sources in transport must increase to at least 10% of final energy consumption in that sector.
By 2020, the share of electricity generated from renewable sources must increase to at least 20% of the country’s gross final consumption of energy.
By 2020, the share of district heat from renewable sources must reach at least 60% of the heat balance, and the share of renewable energy sources in households for heating must reach at least 80%.

Įstatymo tekstas

REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA LAW ON ENERGY FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES 2011 May 12 No XI-1375 (As last amended on 17 January 2013 – No XII-169) Vilnius CHAPTER ONE GENERAL PROVISIONS Article

Purpose, Aim and Tasks of the Law
This Law shall establish the legal basis for state administration, regulation, supervision and control of the renewable energy sector of the Republic of Lithuania and organisation of activities in the renewable energy sector, also stipulate the state regulation and supervision of operations of energy grid operators, producers of energy from renewable sources and their relations with controlling authorities.
The aim of this Law shall be to ensure sustainable development of the use of renewable energy sources, promote further development and introduction of innovative technologies and consumption of generated energy, taking particular account of the international commitments of the Republic of Lithuania, the objectives of environmental protection, sparing use of fossil energy sources, reduction of dependence on fossil energy sources and energy import and other objectives of the state energy policy, subject to evaluation of the requirements of security and reliability of energy supply, also taking account of the principles of ensuring of the protection of consumer rights to and legitimate interests in the availability, suitability and adequacy of renewable energy resources.
This Law shall establish a common system of promotion of the consumption of energy from renewable sources in the Republic of Lithuania.
The key task of this Law shall be to ensure that in 2020 the share of energy from renewable sources accounts for at least 23 per cent as compared with the country’s gross final energy consumption level and that this share is further increased by employing, to this end, the latest and most efficient technologies of use of renewable energy resources and promoting the efficient consumption of energy.
The tasks of this Law in specific energy sectors in 2020 shall be: 1) to increase the share of energy from renewable sources in all modes of transport at least up to 10 per cent as compared with the final energy consumption in the transport sector; 2) to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources not less than up to 20 per cent as compared with the country’s gross final consumption of energy; 3) to increase the share of district heat produced from renewal energy sources in the heat balance at least up to 60 per cent, and to increase the share of renewable energy sources in households in the balance of energy sources used for heating at least up to 80 per cent.
The provisions of this Law shall implement the legal acts of the European Union listed in the Annex to this Law. Article
Definitions
Aerothermal energy means energy stored in the form of heat in the ambient air.
Energy from renewable sources means energy from renewable non-fossil sources: wind, solar, aerothermal, geothermal, hydrothermal and ocean energy, hydropower, biomass, biogases, including landfill gas and sewage treatment plant gas, also other renewable non-fossil sources whose use is technologically feasible currently or will be feasible in the future.
Renewable energy installation (hereinafter: ‘installation’) means an installation producing electricity and/or heat and/or solid biofuel and/or liquid biofuel from renewable energy sources.
Guarantee of origin of renewable energy resources (hereinafter: ‘guarantee of origin’) means an electronic document which has the sole function of providing proof to a final customer that a given share or quantity of energy was produced from renewable sources.
Pilot project of the use of renewable energy sources (hereinafter: ‘pilot project’) means a project of the use of renewable energy sources prepared in accordance with the procedure and under the terms and conditions specified by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and including studies of applicability of new technologies or pilot installations, also enhancement or major improvement of the operational efficiency of the existing technologies.
Support measure for the use of renewable sources to produce energy (hereinafter: ‘support measure’) means a measure or method specified in this Law and other legal acts promoting the use of renewable sources for the production of energy.
Gross final consumption of energy means consumption of energy products supplied to industry, transport, households, the services sector (including public services), agriculture, forestry and fisheries for the purpose of production of energy, including consumption of electricity and heat consumed by the energy sector for the production of electricity and heat and electricity and heat losses in the course of distribution and transmission.
Biofuels for transport means liquid or gaseous fuel for transport produced from biomass.
Biogas means gas produced from biomass.
Biofuels means gaseous, liquid and solid flammable products for energy purposes, produced from biomass.
Biomass means the biodegradable fraction of products, waste and residues (including vegetal and animal substances) from biological origin from agriculture, forestry and related industries, including fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste.
Bio lubricants and bio oils means the lubricants and oils produced from vegetable or animal fats.
Supply of district heating or district cooling means the delivery and sales to consumers of thermal energy in the form of steam, hot water or chilled liquids, from a central source of production.
Power plant means an energy facility managed by the electricity producer by the right of ownership or another right and intended for the production of electricity or electricity and heat by co-generation from renewable sources and consisting of one or more technologically interconnected installations for electricity production connected to electricity grids.
Installed capacity of a power plant means the aggregate of all active capacities of a power plant.
Preliminary design conditions for connection of a power plant to energy grids (hereinafter: ‘preliminary connection conditions’) means preliminary design conditions issued to the generator of energy from renewable sources specifying mandatory requirements for construction, reconstruction and/or development of energy grids when connecting a power plant of the generator to the grids managed by the energy grid operator or providing other services specified in legal acts.
Design conditions for connection of a power plant to energy grids (hereinafter: ‘connection conditions’) means technical specifications specifying mandatory requirements for construction, reconstruction and/or development of energy grids when connecting a power plant of the generator of energy from renewable sources to the grids managed by the energy grid operator or providing other services specified in legal acts.
Electromobile means a vehicle wherein energy for mechanical movement is supplied solely from an electric storage battery.
Protocol of intentions regarding connection of electricity installations to electricity grids (hereinafter: ‘protocol of intentions’) means an agreement between the electricity grid operator and the generator of electricity from renewable sources whereby, inter alia, the generator undertakes to prepare its electricity installations for connection to electricity grids within the specified time limit, and the electricity grid operator – to connect the electricity installations of this generator to the electricity grids managed by it within the specified time limit.
Point of connection of electricity facilities to electricity grids (hereinafter: ‘connection point’) means a point precisely indicated within electricity grids at which the installations of the user of electricity grids are connected to the electricity transmission and/or distribution grid infrastructures. The location of the connection point shall be specified in a statement of ownership boundaries and, unless stipulated otherwise, shall coincide with the boundary between the property of the electricity grid operator and the user thereof as specified in this statement. The electricity grid installations located at the connection point shall be managed by the right of ownership or on other lawful grounds by the electricity grid operator.
Energy grids means all interconnected installations used for transmission and distribution of energy and/or energy sources: electricity transmission and/or distribution grid infrastructures, heating or cooling transmission grids, gas transmission and/or distribution systems.
Energy grid operator means the operator of electricity transmission systems and/or electricity distribution grids, heating or cooling transmission grids, gas transmission and/or distribution systems.
Low-energy building means a building whose energy performance as specified under normative technical construction documents is very high. Energy from renewable sources, including energy produced from renewable sources on the spot or nearby, must account for the major share of required energy whose consumption is close to zero or is very low.
Capacity of energy installations means the capability of electricity, heating or cooling installations to achieve a certain power under normal operating conditions, irrespective of time limitations or short-term deviations.
Generator of energy from renewable sources (hereinafter: ‘generator’) means a person operating a renewable energy installation, holding an appropriate authorisation to pursue this activity or intending to develop production of energy from renewable energy sources.
Expenses of connection of installations of the generator of energy from renewable sources to energy grids (hereinafter: ‘connection expenses’) means investment required for connection of installations of the generator of energy from renewable sources to the grids managed by the operator of energy grids.
Fixed rate of electricity from renewable sources (hereinafter: ‘fixed rate’) means the income guaranteed to the generator, in accordance with the procedure and under the terms and conditions laid down by this Law, for a unit of electricity from renewable sources generated and supplied to electricity grids.
Geothermal energy means energy stored in the form of heat beneath the surface of solid earth.
Hybrid vehicle means a vehicle wherein energy for mechanical movement is supplied from two or more sources of accumulated energy located in the vehicle: consumed fuel and electricity storage unit (battery, condenser).
Hydropower means energy of standing and/or flowing water used for generation of electricity.
Hydrothermal energy means energy stored in the form of heat in surface water.
Rest energy means energy released in the course of a technological process and not used in this process.
Maximum capacity of generating sources allowed to be connected means the largest technical amount of capacities of a system (grid) to which the producer's power plant is to be connected, as held by the transmission system operator and/or the distribution grid operator
Mineral fuels means liquid or gaseous fuels for transport produced from natural fossil raw materials or mineral waste.
National targets means national overall or interim targets calculated in accordance with the procedure laid down by this Law and indicating the share of energy from renewable sources as compared with gross final consumption of energy over the specified period.
Statement of ownership boundaries means a statement signed by the generator of energy from renewable sources and the energy grid operator stipulating the boundary of ownership between the grids of the user of energy grids and the grids managed by the energy grid operator.
Support scheme means the body of support measures that promotes the use of energy from renewable sources by reducing the costs of using renewable energy sources, increasing the price at which energy from renewable sources can be sold, imposing the obligation to use renewable energy sources or consume energy from renewable sources, also other instruments promoting the use of renewable energy sources for production of energy and/or consumption of energy from these sources.
Excess electricity means electricity which is produced by power plants within the electricity grid of electricity consumers using renewable energy sources for electricity generation, is supplied to electricity grids and is left after consumption of electricity for own needs and the needs of the economy.
Security of discharge of obligations means a financial guarantee or a financial assurance as specified in the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Financial Institutions.
Solar heat energy means solar radiation energy transformed into heat in solar collectors.
Solar light energy means electricity directly generated from solar light.
Bioliquids means liquid fuel for energy purposes other than for transport, including electricity and heating and/or cooling, produced from biomass.
Statistical transfer of energy means a transfer of an amount of energy from renewable sources calculated according to official national statistics to another Member State or receipt of the specified amount of energy from another Member State.
Heat pump means an installation transforming aerothermal, geothermal or hydrothermal energy into heat used for building heating and/or preparation of hot water.
Foreign state means a non-Member State of the European Union or a state not belonging to the European Economic Area.
Member State means a Member State of the European Union and/or a state of the European Economic Area.
Wind power means air movement energy used for generation of energy.
Services meeting public interest means the binding commitments assigned to enterprises in the cases specified by law with a view to implementing the strategic goals of state energy, economic and/or environment protection policy in the renewable energy sector and defending legitimate public interests.
Other concepts used in this Law shall be interpreted as they are defined in the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Documents and Archives, the Law on Energy, the Law on Electricity, the Law on Natural Gas, the Law on Heat Sector, the Law on Construction, the Law on Water and the Law on Land. Article
Promotion of Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources
The use of renewable energy sources shall be promoted in accordance with the procedure and under the terms and conditions specified by this Law and other legal acts.
The use of renewable energy sources shall be promoted by applying the specified support scheme consisting of one or several support measures. The following shall be considered as support measures: 1) fixed rate; 2) purchase of energy from renewable sources; 3) reimbursement of the costs of connection of renewable energy installations to energy grids or systems; 4) reservation of the capacity and transfer capability or other relevant technical parameters of energy grids or systems for connection of renewable energy installations; 5) priority of transmission of energy from renewable sources; 6) release of electricity generators from responsibility for balancing of generated electricity and/or reservation of electricity generation capacities during the promotion period; 7) support for production and processing of agricultural commodities, namely, raw materials for the production of biofuels, biofuels for transport, bio lubricants and bio oils; 8) the requirements in relation to mandatory use of renewable energy sources for energy production and/or mandatory consumption of energy from renewable sources, also the requirements for the use of biofuels for transport; 9) support of investments in renewable energy technologies; 10) other privileges established by laws.
A decision on release of electricity generators from responsibility for balancing of generated electricity and/or reservation of electricity generation capacities after the promotion period shall be taken by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania (hereinafter: ‘Government’) using the available infrastructure and installations for this purpose in relation to all producers.
The procedure for and the conditions of application of support measures shall be established by the Government in compliance with the requirements of this Law to the extent that they are not regulated by this Law and/or other laws.
The Government may, under its resolution, grant the status of a pilot project to development of environment-friendly technologies using renewable energy sources for production of energy. CHAPTER TWO MANAGEMENT OF ACTIVITIES IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR Article
Institutions within the Sphere of Management of the Renewable Energy Sector The renewable energy sector shall, in accordance with the procedure laid down by this Law, be subject to regulation and control of compliance with this Law and implementing legislation by: 1) The Government or an institution authorised by it; 2) the Ministry of Energy; 3) the Ministry of Environment; 4) the Ministry of Transport and Communications; 5) the Ministry of Education and Science; 6) the Ministry of Economy; 7) the Ministry of Agriculture; 8) the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy; 9) municipalities. Article
Remit of the Government
The Government shall: 1) ensure implementation of the tasks set out in Article 1

(4)and

(5)of this Law; 2) approve, in compliance with this Law and other legal acts, the National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources; 3) approve the Inter-institutional Action Plan of the National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources; 4) establish the procedure for using the funds of the National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources; 5) approve a procedure for developing power plants, transmission and distribution grids, smart grids and electricity storage infrastructure provided for in Article 13

(4)of this Law; 6) establish the procedure for controlling compliance of biofuels for transport and bioliquids with sustainability criteria, also the procedure for certifying biofuels for transport and bioliquids fulfilling sustainability criteria; 7) establish and approve total supported capacities meeting the requirements indicated in Article 13

(3)of this Law and the auction regions referred to in Article 20

(3); 8) establish the procedure for concluding agreements on statistical transfers between the Republic of Lithuania and other Member States, also the procedure for implementing joint projects between the Member States and third countries; 9) perform other functions set out in this Law. 2. The Government or an institution authorised by the Government shall: 1) approve the programmes for promotion of the use of renewable energy sources in compliance with objective and non-discriminatory principles; 2) approve the National Action Plan for the Development of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources; 3) establish to municipalities minimum mandatory targets for the use of energy from renewable sources and co-ordinate draft action plans of municipalities for the development of the use of energy from renewable sources; 4) establish the procedure for providing services meeting public interest; 5) draft and adopt a procedure for issuing authorisations for the use of the territorial sea of the Republic of Lithuania, the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea and the coastal strip for construction and operation of power plants taking account of the general requirements for promotion of the electricity generation from renewable sources and acting in compliance with objective and non-discriminatory principles; 6) establish the procedure for issuing, transferring and cancelling guarantees of origin; 7) approve the National Special Plan for the Use of the Biodegradable Fraction of Industrial and Municipal Waste Suitable for Energy Production; 8) establish a procedure for using natural gas transmission and distribution systems when transmitting and distributing gas produced from renewable energy sources; 9) determine the allowable or mandatory share of biofuels for transport blended in fuels for transport produced from mineral fuels for transport; 10) establish the procedure for using confiscated alcohol products for production of biofuels for transport; 11) establish mandatory environmental criteria for the vehicles purchased by state institutions, agencies and enterprises; 12) prepare the measures promoting the use of energy from all types of renewable sources in buildings and energy efficiency relating to gross production of energy and/or low-energy buildings, also co-ordinate and supervise implementation of these measures; 13) establish the procedure for implementing the requirements for using renewable energy sources in buildings and implementing these requirements; 14) approve a list of positions and occupations of the workers referred to in Article 45

(1)of this Law, determine the qualification requirements for these workers, approve a list of the workers constructing and operating renewable energy facilities and installations who are subject to certification and establish the procedure for certifying them; 15) establish the procedure for certifying the fitters of installations for production of energy from renewable sources; 16) establish the procedure for collecting information on the use of biofuels and submitting it to the European Commission; 17) perform other functions set out in this Law. Article 6. Remit of the Ministry of Energy The Ministry of Energy shall: 1) in accordance with the procedure and under the conditions established by legal acts and within its remit, co-ordinate the implementation of measures developing and promoting the production and use of flammable gaseous products (biogas), forest and timber waste, straws, other types of combustibles of biological origin (agricultural waste and plants used for energy production), also the use of aerothermal, geothermal, hydrothermal energy, hydropower, solar heat energy and solar light energy, wind power for energy production, conduct monitoring of implementation thereof and ensure state supervision and control; 2) draft a procedure for development of power plants, transmission and distribution grids, smart grids and electricity storage infrastructure provided for in Article 13

(4)of this Law; 3) draft the National Action Plan for the Development of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources; 4) issue authorisations for development of capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources; 5) issue certificates for capacities of production of electricity, heat and/or cooling, gas from renewable energy sources, also for operation of renewable energy installations in the transport sector; 6) draft and approve technical rules establishing the basic requirements for technical construction and operation to be applicable when connecting electricity from renewable energy sources to electricity grids; 7) draft and approve the technical rules establishing the basic requirements for technical construction and operation to be applicable when connecting gas from renewable energy sources to natural gas networks; 8) establish the procedure for calculating national targets; 9) approve rules for trade in biofuels, biofuels for transport, biogas, bio lubricants and bio oils; 10) determine, in co-operation with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Transport and Communications, binding quality requirements for biofuels for transport; 11) organise exchange of practices in the field of use of renewable energy sources between state and municipal institutions, agencies, enterprises, organisations, private entities and make best practices public; 12) approve the Rules for Issuing Authorisations in the Electricity Sector drafted in co-operation with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture; 13) perform other functions established by this Law and other laws or assigned by the Government. Article

Remit of the Ministry of Environment The Ministry of Environment shall: 1) establish normative standards of pollution for installations using biofuels or biofuels for transport; 2) develop and approve the methods of estimation of the amount of methane emissions to the atmosphere; 3) determine the environmental conditions of use of biofuels for transport and bioliquids; 4) establish the rules for calculating the effect of greenhouse gas emitted in the process of production and use of biofuels for transport, bioliquids and their fossil fuel comparators; 5) assess the potential of use of the biodegradable part of forest and municipal waste which may be used to produce biofuels; 6) in accordance with the procedure and under the conditions laid down by legal acts and within its remit, co-ordinate together with the Ministry of Energy the implementation of measures promoting the use of sustainable hydro power for energy production, conduct monitoring of implementation thereof and ensure state supervision and control; 7) develop and approve the methods of separation of the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste taking account of the renewable share of energy produced from industrial and municipal waste; 8) develop and publish, in co-operation with the Ministry of Energy, recommendations for designers, architects and other professionals concerning integration of renewable energy technologies, high energy-efficiency technologies and district heating and/or cooling supply systems when planning, designing, building and renovating (modernising) public, industrial or residential areas; 9) perform other functions established by this Law and other laws or assigned by the Government. Article
Remit of the Ministry of Transport and Communications The Ministry of Transport and Communications shall: 1) co-ordinate, in accordance with the procedure and under the conditions laid down by legal acts and within its remit, the implementation of the measures of development and promotion of the use of biofuels in transport, also the initiatives of the use of vehicles powered by renewable energy sources, electromobiles and hybrid vehicles, conduct monitoring of implementation thereof and ensure state supervision and control; 2) establish a list of products to be considered as biofuels for transport; 3) develop and approve the methods of estimation of the impact of the period of vehicles’ operation on the energy sector and the environment; 4) perform other functions established by this Law and other laws or assigned by the Government. Article
Remit of the Ministry of Economy The Ministry of Economy shall: 1) estimate the potential of waste and products generated in the course of production and other economic activities, with the exception of the potential of agricultural branches and industries related to processing of agricultural products and waste from which biofuels are produced; 2) perform other functions established by this Law and other laws or assigned by the Government. Article
Remit of the Ministry of Agriculture Remit of the Ministry of Agriculture 1) co-ordinate, in accordance with the procedure and under the conditions laid down by legal acts and within its remit, the implementation of measures of development and promotion of the production of combustible liquid and gaseous products from biomass, conduct monitoring of implementation thereof and ensure state supervision and control; 2) co-ordinate, in accordance with the procedure and under the conditions laid down by legal acts and within its remit, the implementation of measures of promotion of the growth of plants intended for production of biofuels, biofuels for transport, bio lubricants and bio oils, conduct monitoring of implementation thereof and ensure state supervision and control; 3) develop programmes for support of producers of agricultural products used for energy production and submit them for approval to the Government; 4) estimate the potential of agricultural branches and industries related to processing of agricultural products and waste from which biofuels are produced; 5) perform other functions established by this Law and other laws or assigned by the Government. Article
Remit of the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy The National Control Commission for Prices and Energy shall: 1) approve the methods of determination of the maximum permitted fixed rates; 2) approve maximum permitted fixed rates, determine the differentiated amounts thereof and control application thereof; 3) establish preferential rates for electricity used for the operation of heat pumps (with accounting of electricity supplied to the compressor); 4) approve the costs of optimisation, development and reconstruction of energy grids and the additional costs of the operator of energy grids related to development of the use of renewable energy sources; 5) coordinate the Procedure for Using Electricity Grids indicated in Article 14

(7)of this Law; 6) examine the complaints indicated in Article 64

(1)of this Law; 7) approve technological, financial and managerial capacities of renewable energy enterprises and a procedure for evaluation thereof; 8) approve the model form of a protocol of intentions; 9) establish a procedure for and conditions of purchase of heating from independent producers of heating; 10) set the feed-in price for gas from renewable energy sources to the natural gas system; 11) supervise and control authorisation of biogas producers for connection of their installations to the natural gas system, application of connection premiums and transparency of feeding-in of biogas; 12) prepare and approve the regulations of total supported capacities distribution auctions; 13) declare and organise total supported capacities distribution auctions; 14) perform other functions set out in this Law. Article

Remit of Municipalities Municipalities shall: 1) prepare and, subject to co-ordination with the Government or an institution authorised by it, approve and implement action plans for the development of the use of energy from renewable sources; 2) aim at the use of renewable energy sources for production of heat energy when organising provision of heat energy within the territory of a municipality; 3) develop and approve municipal programmes for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources and a procedure for using the funds thereof; 4) aim at the use, in public transport, of the vehicles powered by energy from renewable sources, electromobiles and hybrid vehicles; 5) create the infrastructure required for development of the use of the vehicles powered by energy from renewable sources and electricity; 6) develop and implement information and awareness raising measures, provide consultations and prepare training programmes concerning the practical possibilities and benefit of the development and use of renewable energy sources; 7) perform other functions set out in this Law. CHAPTER THREE PROMOTION, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES. CONNECTION OF POWER PLANTS TO ELECTRICITY GRIDS Article
Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources for Electricity Production
Development of the use of renewable energy sources for electricity production shall be among the strategic goals of state energy policy.
The use of renewable energy sources for electricity production shall be promoted in accordance with the procedure and under the terms and conditions specified by this Law and other legal acts.
The tasks of this Law in the electricity sector until 2020 shall be: 1) to increase the total installed capacity of the wind power plants connected to electricity grids up to 500 MW. Upon reaching the installed capacity of 500 MW for the wind power plants, the Government shall draw up and approve a procedure for further development of wind power plants, transmission and distribution grid infrastructures, smart grids and electricity storage infrastructure taking account of commitments of the Republic of Lithuania regarding environmental pollution reduction, ensuring of secure and reliable energy supply and protection of consumer rights and legitimate interests; 2) to increase the total installed capacity of solar light energy plants connected to electricity grids up to 10 MW, excluding small power plants whose installed capacity does not exceed 30 kW and which have been issued authorisations for development of capacities of electricity production under applications filed until 31 December
Upon reaching the installed capacity of 10 MW for the solar light energy plants, the Government shall draw up and approve a procedure for further development of solar light energy plants taking account of commitments of the Republic of Lithuania regarding environmental pollution reduction, ensuring of secure and reliable energy supply and protection of consumer rights and legitimate interests; 3) to increase the total installed capacity of the hydro power plants connected to electricity grids up to 14 MW; 4) to increase the total installed capacity of the power plans running on biofuels and connected to electricity grids up to 355 MW.
Upon exceeding the total installed capacity for power plants indicated in paragraph 3 of this Article, the Government shall, not later than by 1 January 2015, approve a procedure for further development of power plants, transmission and distribution grid infrastructures, smart grids and electricity storage infrastructure taking account of commitments of the Republic of Lithuania regarding environmental pollution reduction, ensuring of secure and reliable energy supply and protection of consumer rights and legitimate interests.
The total installed capacity of power plants shall be the aggregate amount of total installed capacities assigned to the power plants which are, in accordance with the procedure and under the terms specified in Article 20 of this Law, subject to measures promoting the use of renewable energy sources for electricity production, where such installed capacities are referred to in the valid authorisations for development of electricity production from renewable energy sources issued prior to the entry into force of this Law and subsequently in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts and in authorisations for electricity production and connection conditions issued to power plants not subject to, in accordance with the procedure laid down by Article 16

(4)of this Law, an authorisation for development of electricity production from renewable energy sources. When the total installed capacity assigned to power plants reaches the amounts of installed capacity referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article, allocation of total supported capacities in the manner provided for by this Law and secondary legislation and the receipt of applications for connection of the power plants referred to in Article 16

(4)of this Law to electricity grids shall be suspended until the installed capacities referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article are increased or total supported capacities become available, where no new power plants are erected during a period indicated in authorisations for development of electricity production from renewable energy sources. The Ministry of Energy shall publish and regularly update information on assigned total installed capacities and available total supported capacities. Article

CONNECTION OF POWER PLANTS TO ELECTRICITY GRIDS
The electricity grid operator must, not later than within 18 months or within a time period during which the producer undertakes to erect a power plant, where this period exceeds 18 months, connect by the right of priority the producer’s power plant to the electricity grids managed by the electricity grid operator at the connection point conforming to the required voltage level and is located within the shortest distance from the producer’s power plant, unless other electricity grids are technologically and economically more suitable for the connection point of the producer’s power plant. The mentioned right of priority in connecting the producer’s power plant to electricity grids shall be ensured against connection of electricity installations of other electricity producers using non-renewable energy sources to the electricity grids. The period of connection to electricity grids shall be counted from the signature of a services contract on connection of a power plant to electricity grids between the producer and the electricity grid operator. The moment of connection of a power plant to electricity grids shall be connection of the power plant for the carrying out of technological tests within the electricity grids (for starting-up and adjustment works). The electricity grid operator shall, acting in compliance with regulatory requirements, draw up and publish the standard terms and conditions of the services contract on connection of the power plant to electricity grids, which shall be non-discriminatory in respect of all producers and take account of specific requirements for separate groups of producers.
The electricity grid operator must connect the producer’s power plant to electricity grids also in the case when such connection is possible only upon upgrading the electricity grids, optimising them, expanding the electricity grids, increasing the capacity of the electricity grids or reconstructing them otherwise. In this case, the producer’s power plant must be connected to the electricity grids within the reasonable time limit agreed upon by the parties upon assessing the need for upgrading or development of the electricity grids, to the extent that this is reasonably necessary for connection of the power plant.
The time limits for connection of a power plant to electricity grids as referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article may be extended in the cases when the electricity grid operator is unable, within the specified time limits, to connect the producer’s power plant for technological tests within the electricity grids due to a delay in respect of works in the part of the producer’s electricity grids or for other reasons beyond the control of the electricity grid operator. In each specific case, the time limit for connection of a power plant to electricity grids may not be extended for a period exceeding six months. The period of connection of the power plant to electricity grids shall be extended subject to agreement between the electricity grid operator and the producer in accordance with the procedure laid down by a services contract on connection of the power plant to electricity grids.
The connection point for the producer’s power plant shall be selected and specified in connection conditions by the electricity grid operator to whose electricity grids the producer’s power plant is to be connected according to the producer’s application and upon assessing the technological and economic criteria for selection of the connection point in compliance with the Procedure for Using Electricity Grids referred to in paragraph 7 of this Article.
The procedure shall have the right to select another connection point for a power plant which would be technologically and economically suitable taking into account the electricity grid’s capacity and the power plant’s installed capacity as indicated by the electricity grid operator. Conformity of the connection point selected by the producer with the specified technological and economic criteria in each case shall be assessed by the electricity grid operator. If connection of the power plant at the connection point proposed by the producer results in increase of connection costs, the increased connection costs shall be covered in accordance with the procedure laid down by Article 21

(6)of this Law. 6. The electricity grid operator shall have the right to assign, at its own discretion, another connection point for a power plant disregarding the connection point selected by the producer, as indicated in paragraph 5 of this Article. The additional costs incurred as a result of such assignment shall be covered in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 21

(7)of this Law.

The electricity grid operator shall draft, under the terms and conditions specified by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy, and, upon co-ordination with the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy, publish the Procedure for Using Electricity Grids. The procedure for using electricity grids shall be based on objective, transparent and non-discriminatory principles and due account should be taken of the benefit and costs relating to connection of producers’ power plants to the electricity grids.
The electricity grid operator must, not later than within 30 calendar days from submission of the producer’s application to issue preliminary design conditions, provide the producer with the entire information on the actions which the producer must undertake the purpose of connection of its power plant to electricity grids and on tentative time limits for completion of works of electricity grid expansion and, where necessary, must carry out the actions referred to in Article 18 of this Law. At the request of the producer, the electricity grid operator must present a comprehensive estimate of the costs associated with the connection of the power plant to electricity grids, a reasonable and precise timetable for receiving and processing the requests for connection of the power plant to the electricity grids, and a reasonable indicative timetable for the proposed connection of the power plant to the electricity grids. In all cases, the electricity grid operator and the producer shall exchange the entire technical and other information required for connection of the producer’s power plant to electricity grids. Preliminary design conditions must conform to the Procedure for Using Electricity Grids indicated in paragraph 7 of this Article. Preliminary design conditions may not include requirements other than those required to ensure the reliability, safety and quality of operation of the electricity facility and the electricity system. Preliminary design conditions shall be published on the Internet website of the electricity grid operator.
The producer shall have the right to submit a complaint in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 64 of this Law to the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy concerning the preliminary design conditions referred to in paragraph 8 of this Article and issued by the electricity grid operator. Where the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy establishes, having regard to the conclusions of the State Energy Inspectorate under the Ministry of Energy, that preliminary design conditions do not conform to the Procedure for Using Electricity Grids, the electricity grid operator must, within a period not exceeding 30 calendar days, submit new preliminary design conditions.
The producer planning to increase the capacity of electricity production from renewable energy sources shall, upon receipt of preliminary design conditions, draw up and submit an application to the electricity grid operator for signature of a protocol of intentions.
The electricity grid operator must, within 30 calendar days from submission of an application referred in paragraph 10 of this Article and filed by the producer planning to increase the capacity of electricity production from renewable energy sources, sign a protocol of intentions with the producer. The protocol of intentions must: 1) indicate the capacity of the power plant planned to be built by the producer and the types of the renewable energy sources used; 2) include the time limit within which the producer undertakes to build the power plant, complete related works in its part of electricity grids and submit required documents for the issuance of a statement (certificate) on verification of the technical condition of electricity installations by the State Energy Inspectorate under the Ministry of Energy (for starting-up and adjustment works); 3) include the producer’s commitment to draw up, within the time limit proposed by it from signature of the protocol of intentions, and submit to the electricity grid operator for co-ordination a technical design of equipment and connection of the power plant to existing electricity grids (hereinafter: ‘technical design’), where such is mandatory; 4) include the electricity grid operator’s commitment to draw up a draft services contract on connection of the power plant to electricity grids within a period not exceeding four months from submission of a technical design agreed upon with the electricity grid operator or within a period not exceeding two months from signature of a protocol of intentions, where such a technical design is not mandatory for the power plant to be built, to draw up a draft services contract of connection of the power plant to the electricity grids; 5) include the producer’s commitment to sign the contract within one month from submission by the electricity grid operator a draft services contract on connection of the power plant to electricity grids, an appropriate technical project agreed upon, or design conditions issued by the electricity grid operator, where the technical project is not mandatory for the power plant to be built; 6) include the producer’s commitment to cover, within one month from completion of the services contract on the power plant’s connection to electricity grids, the costs of the power plant’s connection in the amount specified in Article 21

(3)of this Law; 7) include the electricity grid operator’s commitment to connect the power plant to electricity grids and ensure reliable transmission and distribution of electricity produced at the plant within a time limit which may not exceed the time limits laid down in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article; 8) indicate the amount of security for discharge of the producer’s obligations, the terms and conditions of and the procedure for presenting and using it; 9) contain the documents evidencing the validity of a detailed plan permitting construction of a power plant of the capacity and type specified in the producer’s application, where such a document is required under the law when planning to build the power plant. 12. The model form of a protocol of intentions shall be approved by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy. 13. Upon signing a protocol of intentions, the producer must, not later than 15 calendar days prior to the auction indicated in Article 20

(3)of this Law, submit to the electricity grid operator a security for the discharge of the producer’s obligations in the amount specified in Article 15

(1)of this Law and warranting to the grid operator the discharge of the producer’s obligations concerning introduction of new capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources or increase of the existing capacities. 14. The time limit specified in point 2 of paragraph 11 of this Article shall be extended in the following cases: 1) as a result of actions of the State, actions of third parties or due to force majeure; 2) at the request of the producer, upon presentation of the additional security for charge of its obligations referred to in Article 15

(1)of this Law; 3) in the cases specified by the services contract on connection of the power plant to electricity grids and other legal acts.

The electricity grid operator shall sign the services contract on connection of the power plant to electricity grids after the producer signs a protocol of intentions and presents therein, in accordance with the established procedure, a security for the discharge of the producer’s obligations and an authorisation for development of capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources.
Repealed as of 1 February
The electricity grid operator shall, on a monthly basis, provide to the Ministry of Energy and the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy information on the progress of implementation of power plant construction projects and compliance with the terms of protocols of intentions.
The procedure for and terms and conditions of connection of the power plants using renewable energy sources to electricity grids shall be regulated by the legal acts implementing this Law to the extent that this Law does not establish otherwise. Article
Commitments of the Producer
The producer planning to increase the capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources shall provide the electricity grid operator with a security for discharge of its commitments warranting to the electricity grid operator the producer’s commitments concerning increase of the capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources. The amount of the security for discharge of the producer’s commitments shall be calculated by multiplying the amount of the power plant’s capacities to be installed (in kW) by LTL 50 for 1 kW. In order to extend the period of validity of an authorisation for increase of the capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources as stipulated in Article 16

(8)of this Law, the amount of the security for discharge of the producer’s obligations shall be increased by the amount calculated by multiplying the amount of the power plant’s capacities to be installed (in kW) by LTL 50 for 1kW and the duration of the period for which the validity of this authorisation is to be extended expressed in years. 2. Where the producer does not win the auction indicated in Article 20

(3)of this Law or the power plant is recognised as fit for use in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts, the electricity grid operator shall waive its rights under the security for discharge of the producer’s commitments and shall return it to the producer or to the person who has issued the security for discharge of the producer’s commitments or shall give a written notice of the waiver to the person who has issued the security for discharge of the producer’s commitments. After construction of the power plant is completed, and a permission to produce electricity is issued, the security for discharge of the producer’s commitments shall be returned in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts.

Where the producer fails to discharge or inappropriately discharges the commitments specified in the protocol of intentions and/or the services contract on a power plant’s connection to electricity grids, the electricity grid operator shall have the right to avail of the security for discharge of the producer’s commitments submitted by the producer, with the exception of the cases when such commitments are not discharged or discharged inappropriately due to the circumstances which the producer could not control and reasonably foresee at the moment of conclusion of the protocol of intentions and/or the services contract on the power plant’s connection to electricity grids and was not able to prevent the rise of these circumstances or consequences thereof, also due to other circumstances specified by law, in the absence of the producer’s fault.
The funds received by the electricity grid operator under the security for discharge of the producer’s commitments may be used solely for development of electricity grids necessary to connect renewable energy installations. Article
Issuance of Authorisations for Development of Capacities of Electricity Production from Renewable Energy Sources
Existing capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources may be developed or new capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources at a new facility may be installed only upon obtaining of an authorisation for development of capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources.
Authorisations for development of capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources shall be issued by the Ministry of Energy in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts.
Authorisations for development of electricity production from solar light energy in the Curonian Spit and wind energy in the territorial sea of the Republic of Lithuania and the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea shall be issued through competition in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Government or an institution authorised by it having regard to general requirements for promotion of electricity production from renewable energy sources and in compliance with objective and non-discriminatory principles.
Authorisations for development of electricity production from renewable energy sources shall be issued to producers intending to develop the power plants, with the exception of reservoir-type hydropower plants whose installed capacity does not exceed 350 kW and does not exceed the installed permissible capacity at the connection point of distribution grid infrastructures, and in respect of biogas power plants built at animal husbandry, poultry farming enterprises, landfills and wastewater treatment enterprises – up to 1.2 MW of the installed capacity, in accordance with the simplified procedure according to the Rules for Issuing Authorisations for Activities in the Electricity Sector approved by the Minister of Energy and in compliance with objective and non-discriminatory principles. Version of paragraph 4 after 1 March 2013:
An authorisation for development of electricity production capacities shall not be required, where the producer plans to develop electricity production capacities whose installed capacity does not exceed 10 kW and to use them to produce electricity for own needs and for economic needs. The producer planning to develop electricity production capacities whose installed capacity does not exceed 10 kW and to use them to produce electricity solely for its own needs and for economic needs must give a notice thereto to the grid operator in accordance with the procedure established by the Government or an institution authorised by it.
An authorisation for development of capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources shall be issued to the producer planning to develop the capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources only upon submission of the following documents: 1) an application for the issuance of an authorisation for development of capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources; 2) the protocol of intentions concerning connection of the power plant to electricity grids signed by the electricity grid operator as provided for in Article 14

(11)of this Law, if the producer’s power plant will be connected to electricity grids, and the protocol of intentions is obligatory under this Law; 3) documents of a land plot whereon the power plant is to be constructed or the capacity of the existing power plant of the producer are to be increased confirming the right of the producer to manage and use the land plot by the right of ownership or on other grounds specified by law. Where the producer manages the land plot by the right of joint ownership or on a ground other than ownership, the producer shall submit also the consent of the co-owners or owner of the land plot to construction of the power plant on the land plot and operation of the plant for a period of at least 20 years. In the case when installations for production of electricity are planned to be erected on a building or a part of the structure thereof, the producer shall submit only the consent of co-owners or owner of the building for construction and operation of a power plant, and the requirement to manage and use a land plot by the right of ownership or on other statutory grounds shall not apply; 4) a conclusion of the selection procedure on environmental impact assessment of the proposed economic activity or a decision on the admissibility of the proposed economic activity from the point of view of environmental impact, where environmental impact assessment must be performed under the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Environmental Impact Assessment of the Proposed Economic Activity; 5) a decision of the selection procedure on public health impact assessment (with the exception of the cases when the power plant’s capacity does not exceed 30 kW, and the solar light power plant’s capacity does not exceed 250 kW); 6) a confirmation of the fixed rate for total supported capacities won at an auction, with the exception of the cases when the fixed rate does not apply to the power plants.

The Ministry of Energy must, within 30 calendar days from the receipt of the required documents, issue to the producer an authorisation for development of capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources or provide a substantiated written refusal to issue the authorisation. If not all data or documents are submitted, the time limit shall be counted from the submission of all data or documents.
It shall be allowed to refuse the issuance of authorisations for development of capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources only where the producer fails to submit at least one of the documents referred to in paragraph 5 of this Article or where provided data are incorrect.
An authorisation for development of capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources shall be valid until the commencement of operation of the power plant provided for in the protocol of intentions concerning connection of the power plant to electricity grids, but in no case longer than for 24 months. The authorisation may be extended for a period not exceeding six months where design works have been completed and at least 50 per cent of project development works have been carried out and where the producer provides an additional security for discharge of the producer’s commitments in accordance with Article 15

(1)of this Law. The authorisation may be extended for an additional period not exceeding six months where the producer provides sufficient evidence that a delay in the carrying out of the planned works has been caused by actions of the State, actions of third parties or force majeure, also other circumstances which the producer’s was unable to control or otherwise manage. Article

Access to the Grid and Transmission of Electricity by Electricity Grids
The electricity grid operator must ensure the producer's priority access to the grid, transmit and/or distribute at transparent and non-discriminatory rates the entire amount of electricity offered by the producer and produced from renewable energy sources. The mentioned right of priority access to the grid, transmission and/or distribution of electricity shall be ensured to the producer against electricity produced by other electricity producers using non-renewable energy sources.
Where the electricity grid operator ensuring access to the grid is not a transmission system operator, the obligation to ensure priority access to the grid and transmission by transmission grids of the electricity indicated in paragraph 1 of this Article shall apply also to the transmission system operator.
When the transfer capability of the electricity grids is restricted on non-discriminatory grounds, transmission of the electricity produced from renewable energy sources by electricity grids in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts may be restricted or suspended in the event of an emergency in the energy system or for other technical reasons. The losses incurred by the producer as a result of such restriction shall not be compensated, except for the cases when the circumstances causing appropriate restrictions arise through the fault of the electricity grid operator or the right to compensation of the losses arises on other grounds specified by law.
Where, in the cases indicated in paragraph 3 of this Article, the electricity grid operator undertakes the measures restricting the use of renewable energy sources with a view to ensuring the safe operation of the national grid and reliable supply of electricity, the electric grid operator shall forthwith inform the competent authority of the relevant measures, the scope and grounds for application thereof and indicate the remedies to be taken in order to prevent inadequate restrictions. Article
Increase of the Capacity of Electricity Grids
After the producer and the electricity grid operator conclude a services contract on connection of the power plant to electricity grids, the electricity grid operator shall immediately, having regard to the current technical condition of the electricity grids, take all reasonably necessary measures to optimise, expand and/or reconstruct the grids managed by the electricity grid operator, including the electricity installations and facilities necessary for operation of the grinds, and increase the capacity of the electricity grids in order to ensure the safe and reliable reception, transmission and distribution of electricity produced from renewable energy sources.
In the presence of data supporting the assumption that the electricity grid operator fails to fulfil its obligations under the provisions of this Chapter, producers shall have the right to require that the electricity grid operator provide information on the reasons for the failure and the extent to which the electricity grid operator has defaulted on its obligation to optimise and expand its electricity grid system and enhance the capacity of electric grids. Article
Regulation of Connection of Power Plants
Works of connection of a power plant in the part of the electricity grids managed by the electricity grid operator, including installation of electricity metering equipment, shall be carried out by the electricity grid operator or, on its instruction, another entity selected in accordance with the procedure laid down by law.
The producer’s electricity installations connected to electricity grids, the connection works carried out and the installations necessary to ensure the safe of the electricity grids must meet the requirements of technical documentation and other legal acts.
At the request of the electric grid operator, producers must provide wind power plants, where their installed capacity exceeds 350 kW, and hydro power plants, where their installed capacity exceeds 5 MW, with the technical and operational means to reduce generated capacity or to increase generation of electricity to electricity grids at any time using remote means available to the electricity grid operator. These means shall be viewed as a constituent part of technology of the producer’s power plant. The producer shall procure and install them in compliance with the requirements set forth in technical documentation and/or the requirements specified by the electricity grid operator.
Without prejudice to the obligation specified in Article 17 of this Law, the electricity grid operator shall have the right to regulate the amount of electricity generated and supplied to electricity grids by a wind power plant, where its installed capacity exceeds 350 kW, and a hydro power plant, where its installed capacity exceeds 5 MW, to be connected to its electricity grids, or to suspend connection of such a power plant: 1) where, if no such action was taken, it would result in congestion in respect of electricity grinds receiving the electricity generated by the power plant; 2) in the cases of force majeure; 3) in the cases when aiming at preventing an accident in electricity grids or an electricity system or responding to an accident in electricity grids or an electricity system; 4) in other cases specified by the law.
Where it is established that the electricity grid operator to the electricity grids managed whereby a power plant is to be connected inappropriately operated, maintained, managed and developed electricity grids (that is, in the presence of the fault of the electricity grid operator) and this results in the necessity to apply the power plant connection regulation specified in paragraph 4 of this Article, the electricity grid operator shall compensate, in accordance with the procedure laid down by law, for direct losses incurred and profits lost by producers who were unable to generate and/or supply electricity to electricity grids. Article
Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources for Electricity Production
Production of electricity from renewable energy sources and balancing of such electricity shall be a service meeting public interest. The general principles of, procedure for and conditions of payment of fixed rates applied in accordance with the procedure laid down by this Law and the Government shall be specified by the Government by approving the Procedure for Providing Services Meeting Public Interest and the Procedure for Promoting the Use of Renewable Energy Sources for Energy Production.
Production of electricity from renewable energy sources shall be promoted by paying , in accordance with the procedure for providing services meeting public interest as laid down by the Government, the difference between the fixed rate specified to this producer and the price of electricity sold by this producer in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Government, where the price must be at least the average market price for the previous month calculated in accordance with the procedure laid down by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy.
Fixed rates shall be specified and total supported capacities for power plants whose installed capacity exceeds 10 kW and which meet the objectives indicated in Article 13

(3)of this Law shall be allocated by holding an auction. Total supported capacities and auction regions, also the procedure for allocating total supported capacities for power plants whose installed capacity does not exceed 10 kW shall be specified and approved by the Government. Auctions shall be organised in the regions of connection of power plants to electricity grids within the time limits laid down for each group of producers by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy, but not later than within 180 calendar days from submission of the producer’s request to hold an auction for a specific group of producers in the region specified by the producer. All producers which have signed a protocol of intentions referred to in Article 14

(11)of this Law and provide a security of discharge of obligations referred to in Article 14

(13)shall be entitled to participate in the auction. The maximum permitted fixed rate shall be specified by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy for each quarter. The tenderer who declares the lowest desired fixed rate shall be recognised as the winner of the auction taking account of the fact that the maximum installed capacity of power plants in a single auction region may not exceed 40 per cent of the maximum capacity of sources of electricity generation allowed to be connected in the region. If two or more tenderers submit identical tenders regarding the desired fixed rate, the tenderer who offers to construct power plants of a larger capacity shall be recognised as the winner. Where submitted tenders are identical also as regards the capacity of the power plants, total supported capacities shall be allocated at the relevant connection point to such tenderers in proportion to the capacity indicated in the tenders submitted by them.

The National Control Commission for Prices and Energy shall approve the methods of determination of the maximum permitted fixed rates and shall determine these rates for each group of the producers. To this end, in addition to other indicators specified by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy, the following must be compulsorily assessed: 1) average relative investment in equipment of power plants and their connection to electricity grids; 2) average relative annual quantity of electricity produced at power plants and submitted to electricity grids per one unit of the installed capacity of a power plant; 3) the useful life of power plants; 4) the period of commissioning of power plants and allocation of investment during this period; 5) the forecasted variable costs of operation of power plants, their variation over the useful life of the power plants; 6) the period of application of fixed rates specified by this Law; 7) annual average capital costs per one unit of the installed capacity of a power plant, calculated on the basis of the necessary investment per one unit of the installed capacity of the power plant; 8) the discount rate; 9) the ratio of a project’s own funds to borrowed funds; 10) return on investment of the producer’s own funds; 11) the interest on loans to be imposed by banks; 12) other expected income over the useful life of power plants, directly related to the operation of a power plant; 13) as regards the power plants using solid biofuels and biogas – the ratio of the installed capacity of a power plant to heat capacity; 14) the costs of balancing the production of electricity, if such costs are provided for.
Fixed rates shall be established according to different technologies of production of electricity from renewable energy sources and the installed capacities of power plants in compliance with transparent and non-discriminatory principles.
The National Control Commission for Prices and Energy shall, not more frequently than on a quarterly basis, assess the progress in production of electricity from various renewable energy sources having regard to the actual amount of electricity generated over the previous calendar year, the total installed capacity of power plants in operation and the total intended capacity of the power plants under construction. The maximum permitted fixed rates shall be revised having regard to the development of production of electricity from renewable energy sources and compliance of this development with the goals and tasks specified in the National Action Plan for the Development of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources. The revised maximum permitted fixed rates shall apply only to the producers whose power plants have been issued an authorisation for electricity production after the entry into force of the rates.
The unvarying support measures as provided for in this Article shall apply during a period of 12 years from the issuance of an authorisation for production of electricity. Where an authorisation for development of capacities of electricity production from renewable energy sources was issued to the producer in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts prior to the entry into force of this Law by way of tender or where authorisations were issued to the power plants of this type without tendering in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts in the course of issuance of an authorisation or where an authorisation for electricity production was issued prior to the entry into force of this Law, such a producer shall not be subject to the provisions of paragraph 3 of this Article, and the maximum permitted fixed rate valid in the year of the entry into force of this Law as specified by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy shall apply during the period of 12 years.
A fixed rate shall apply to electricity from renewable energy sources, where it has been issued a guarantee of origin in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts.
The power plants which run on renewable energy sources and which do not benefit from support measures provided for this Article may be constructed in compliance with general requirements of legal acts. The installed capacity amounts specified in Article 13

(3)of this Law and/or the largest total supported capacity of electricity production determined by the Government shall not limit the construction and/or operation of such power plants. Electricity produced by the power plants to which no support measures apply shall be traded in accordance with the procedure and in the manner specified by the Rules for Trading in Electricity.

The surplus electricity produced by the power plants whose installed capacity does not exceed 30 kW shall be compulsorily purchased at the specified fixed rate in accordance with the procedure and under the conditions laid down by the Government. Not more than 50 per cent of electricity produced over a calendar year by the power plants within the electricity grid of the consumer which use renewable energy sources for electricity production shall be considered as surplus electricity. Surplus electricity shall be purchased at the fixed rates which have been determined by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy and which become effective upon supply of surplus electricity to electricity grids. Surplus electricity shall be purchased for not longer than 12 years from the conclusion of a contract on connection to grids between the producer of surplus electricity and the grid operator.
The procedure for and the terms and conditions of making use of support measures and sources of funding of the use of renewable energy sources for electricity production shall be specified by the Government.
With a view to estimating the entire amount of energy produced from renewable energy sources and consumed in the country, the electricity grid operator shall keep accounts of the entire electricity produced by producers, also accounts of electricity produced and consumed by the producer for its own and for economic needs.
Provisions of this Article shall not apply to the producers which have used the sources of funding indicated in Article 41

(4)of this Law for the acquisition of installations after the entry into force of this Law. Article

Distribution of Costs of Connection of Power Plants to Electricity Grids
Connection of power plants to electricity grids shall be a service meeting public interest.
The costs relating to connection of power plants to electricity grids shall be distributed between the producer and the electricity grid operator having regard to boundaries of ownership of the electricity grids.
The producer shall, in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Government or an institution authorised by it, bear the following actual costs of connection of power plants to electricity grids as referred to in Article 21

(4)of this Law: 1) 40 per cent of the costs of connection to electricity grids of the power plants whose installed capacity exceeds 350 kW; 2) 20 per cent of the costs of connection to electricity grids of the power plants whose installed capacity does not exceed 350 kW.

The price of connection of a power plant to electricity grids shall be equal to the price of the works carried out by the contractor who has won a public tender announced by the electricity grid operator for connection of the power plant of the producer to the electricity grids.
Provisions of paragraph 3 of this Article shall not apply where the producer carries out the works of connection of a power plant to electricity grids itself in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts.
Where, according to Article 14

(5)of this Law, the producer selects another connection point for a power plant which is technologically and economically suitable, which results in the increase of the costs of connection of the power plant to electricity grids, these increased justified costs shall be borne by the producer. 7. Where the electricity grid operator selects at its own discretion as indicated in Article 14

(6)of this Law, from several technologically equal alternatives, an economically less suitable point of connection of the power plant to electricity grids, the electricity grid operator must bear all justified additional costs incurred as a result by the producer. 8. The producer shall compensate to the electricity grid operator for not more than 10 per cent of the costs of optimisation, development and/or reconstruction of electricity grids, including the costs of acquisition of installations and facilities necessary for operation, as incurred by the latter with a view to ensuring a safe and reliable reception, transmission and distribution of electricity produced from renewable energy sources as specified in Article 18 of this Law. Compensation and sharing of the costs indicated in this Article shall be stipulated by the electricity grid operator upon co-ordination with the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy in the publicly available Procedure for Using Electricity Grids as indicated in Article 14

(7)of this Law. The limitation on the costs incurred by the producer as specified in this paragraph shall not apply in the event of connection to electricity grids of the power plants not subject to a support scheme or individual support measures thereof in accordance with this Law and other legal acts.

The additional costs of the electricity grid operator indicated in paragraph 7 of this Article and the costs of optimisation, development and/or reconstruction of electricity grids as referred to in paragraph 8 shall be considered a service meeting public interest in the part which was necessary for ensuring development of renewable energy sources and which is approved by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts. Article
Production of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources in the Territorial Sea of the Republic of Lithuania, the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea and the Coastal Strip
The Government or an institution authorised by it shall approve the relevant legal acts regulating construction of power plants and operation thereof in the territorial sea of the Republic of Lithuania, the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea and the coastal strip.
The territorial sea of the Republic of Lithuania, the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea and/or the Coastal Strip shall be used for construction of power plants and operation thereof solely under an authorisation of the Government or an institution authorised by it.
An authorisation to use the territorial sea of the Republic of Lithuania, the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea and/or the Coastal Strip for construction of power plants and operation thereof shall be issued by way of tender. The tender may be initiated by any person meeting the qualification requirements set forth by the Government or an institution authorised by it subject to submission of an application to the institution issuing authorisations. The Government or an institution authorised by it must hold the tender within three months.
The tender indicated in paragraph 3 of this Article shall be held in respect of the water area for which a scheme of construction of power plants in the territorial sea of the Republic of Lithuania, the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea and/or the coastal strip has been prepared and a strategy assessment of effects of the water area scheme on the environment has been performed and/or the water area in the parts whereof infrastructure development is provided for by territorial planning documents and an environmental impact assessment of power plants has been performed.
The scheme referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article shall be prepared and approved by 1 January 2013 by the Government or an institution authorised by it. The strategic assessment of effects of the scheme on the environment shall be carried out in accordance with the procedure established by the Government.
The regulations of the tender referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article shall be drawn up and the tender shall be organised by the Government or the institutions authorised by it. The winner of the tender shall be determined in accordance with objective, transparent and non-discriminatory principles having regard to the producer’s reliability, preparedness for implementation of a project and the commitments assumed.
Upon obtaining an authorisation to use the territorial sea of the Republic of Lithuania and the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea and/or the coastal strip for construction of power plants and operation thereof, the producer shall acquire the exclusive right to conduct in the specified territory over a period not exceeding four years the research required for adoption of a decision on construction of the power plants. Where the producer fails to obtain an authorisation for construction within the time limit laid down by legal acts or where the Ministry of Energy notifies of the refusal to construct a power plant, the authorisation to use the territorial sea of the Republic of Lithuania, the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Lithuania in the Baltic Sea and/or the coastal strip for construction of power plants and operation thereof may be revoked. The producer shall publish the entire data of completed research. CHAPTER FOUR PROMOTION, PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTION OF HEATING AND COOLING FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND USE THEREOF Article
Planning of Development of Capacities of Heating and Cooling Production from Renewable Energy Sources
Development of capacities of heating and cooling production from renewable energy sources shall be one of the strategic goals of the State. Development of heating and cooling production from renewable energy sources shall be promoted and supported in accordance with the procedure specified by this Law and other legal acts.
Heating shall be provided in accordance with special plans of the heating sector, which shall be prepared having regard to the national interim targets indicated in Article 55

(2)of this Law as well as preconditions for development of capacities of heating and cooling production from renewable energy sources. Decisions on development of capacities of heating and cooling production from renewable energy sources shall be adopted by a municipal council in compliance with provisions of a special plan of the heating sector.

When planning the development of the infrastructure of cities and/or districts, renovation of buildings, supply of heating and/or cooling to public and private facilities, municipalities shall have regard to the possibilities of production of heating and cooling from renewable energy sources. Article
Connection of Renewable Energy Installations
The heat supplier must connect renewable energy installations of all independent producers of heating who have requested so to heat transmission grids when the heat produced by connected installations replaces the heat produced by the heat supplier from fossil fuels. An independent producer of heating must ensure that the heat supplied by this producer conform to the requirements for quality, reliability of supply and environmental protection as set forth by legal acts. The procedure for and terms and conditions of connection of renewable energy installations of independent producers of heating shall be established by an institution authorised by the Government.
Renewable energy installations shall be connected to heat transmission grids at the connection point which is technically suitable and is located within the shortest distance from the installation to be connected, unless other connection points are technologically and economically more suitable. The connection point for the installations shall be selected by the heat supplier under an application of an independent producer of heating having regard to technological and economic and non-discriminatory principles of selection of the connection point. Article
Purchase of Heating Produced from Renewable Energy Sources
Heat suppliers shall, by ensuring the priority of access and acting in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Heat Sector, purchase the heating produced from renewable energy sources from independent producers of heating.
The heat supplier must purchase from independent producers of heating whose heat producing installations are connected to heat transmission grids the entire heat produced more cheaply than the heat produced by the supplier from renewable energy sources, with the exception of the cases when the amount of heat produced by independent producers of heating from renewable energy sources exceeds the heat amount needed by costumers of heat supply.
Where, in the case indicated in paragraph 2 of this Article, heat produced from renewable energy sources or rest energy is produced by several independent producers of heating, priority shall be given to a producer selling heat at a lower price.
Heat produced from renewable energy sources shall be purchased from independent producers of heating whose heat installations are connected to heat transmission grids in a centralised manner and sold to all heat consumers by the heat supplier.
Complaints between the heat supplier and an independent producer of heating from renewable energy sources over the application of provisions of this Article and Article 24 shall be examined by the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy in preliminary extrajudicial procedure. Article
Promotion of the Use of Heat Pumps Investments in the heat pumps meeting the requirements set forth in Article 47

(3)of this Law and the investments necessary for installation of the pumps shall be promoted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Chapter Two of this Law. Where this form of support is used, the support measure indicated in Article 11

(3)of this Law may not be used. Article

Use of Industrial and Municipal Waste Suitable for Energy Production
Technical, environmental requirements for and quality standards of use of the biodegradable fraction of industrial and/or municipal waste suitable for energy production shall be specified by the Government or an institution authorised by it.
The procedure for planning energy facilities using the biodegradable fraction of industrial and/or municipal waste suitable for production of energy, issuing authorisations to engage in such activities, constructing and operating them shall be specified by the Government or an institution authorised by it within its remit acting in compliance with the general requirements for the issuance of authorisations for activities in the energy sector, design and construction, territorial planning, environmental impact assessment of economic activities, environmental protection and other related requirements established in laws and other legal acts. CHAPTER FIVE GUARANTEES OF ORIGIN OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES Article
Purpose of the Guarantee of Origin of Energy from Renewable Energy Sources
With a view to providing proof to final consumers about the share of energy, as supplied by the energy supplier, or the amount which is produced from energy from renewable sources, a unit of electricity produced from renewable energy sources and supplied to electricity grids and heat produced from renewable energy sources and supplied to the heat supply system shall be issued a guarantee of origin.
The energy supplier shall, in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts and within its remit, provide information to its final consumers about the share of energy, as supplied by the energy supplier, or the amount which is produced from renewable energy sources. The share of energy supplied or the amount shall be calculated according to the amount of energy produced from renewable energy sources which has been issued a guarantee of origin. Article
Issuance, Transfer and Use of Guarantees of Origin
Guarantees of origin shall be issued, transferred and cancelled in accordance with the procedure and under the conditions specified by the Government or an institution authorised by it, in accordance with objective, transparent and non-discriminatory principles.
The Government or an institution authorised by it shall designate a competent body (bodies) responsible for the issuance, transfer and cancellation of guarantees of origin and supervision and control of the use of the guarantees of origin. The designated competent bodies shall have non-overlapping geographical responsibilities and be independent of production, supply and/or trade activities.
Guarantees of origin shall be issued in response to a request of producers of electricity, heating or cooling from renewable energy sources, which shall be submitted to the competent body referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Government or an institution authorised by it.
Guarantees of origin shall be issued, transferred and cancelled electronically. Guarantees of origin must be accurate, reliable and fraud-resistant. The model form of a guarantee of origin shall be established by the Government or an institution authorised by it.
A guarantee of origin shall be issued to one unit of energy – one MWh. Each unit of energy produced from renewable sources may be issued not more than one guarantee of origin taking account of the same unit of energy only once.
The use of a guarantee of origin must take place within 12 months of production of the corresponding unit of energy. A guarantee of origin not used within the specified period shall be cancelled.
A guarantee of origin shall specify, inter alia: 1) energy type: electricity, heating or cooling; 2) the energy source from which the energy was produced and the start and end dates of production; 3) the identity, location, type and capacity of the installation where the energy was produced; 4) whether and to what extent the installation has benefited from investment support, whether and to what extent the unit of energy has benefited in any other way from a national support scheme, and the type of support scheme and/or support measure; 5) the date on which the installation became operational; 6) the date and country of issue and a unique identification number.
No support shall be granted to a producer when that producer receives a guarantee of origin for the same production of energy from renewable sources.
A guarantee of origin shall have no function in terms of compliance with national interim targets specified in Article 55

(2)of this Law.

Transfers of guarantees of origin, separately or together with the physical transfer of energy, shall have no effect on the decision to use statistical transfers, joint projects or joint support schemes, as specified in Chapter Twelve of this Law, for national interim target compliance or on the calculation of the gross final consumption of energy from renewable sources.
The Republic of Lithuania shall recognise guarantees of origin issued by other Member States exclusively as proof of the elements referred to in Article 28

(1)and in paragraph 7 of this Article of this Law. The Republic of Lithuania may refuse to recognise a guarantee of origin only when it has well-founded doubts about its accuracy, reliability or veracity. A decision on a guarantee of origin issued by another Member State shall be adopted by an institution referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article by the Government or an institution authorised by it. The Government or an institution authorised by it shall notify the European Commission of a refusal to recognise the guarantee of origin issued by another Member State and its justification. CHAPTER SIX USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES FOR GAS PRODUCTION Article

Promotion of Biogas Production
Biogas production shall be a service meeting public interest. Feeding-in of biogas shall be the responsibility of gas system operators.
The Government or an institution authorised by it shall lay down the procedure for and conditions of feeding-in of biogas into natural gas transmission and/or distribution systems (hereinafter: ‘gas systems’) and shall approve the Procedure for Providing Services Meeting Public Interests.
The National Control Commission for Prices and Energy shall establish biogas feed-in tariffs.
When establishing natural gas transmission and distribution tariffs, application of these tariffs must be non-discriminatory in respect of biogas. Article
Requirements for Biogas Installations The Ministry of Energy shall develop and approve technical rules establishing mandatory design and operational requirements for biogas installations, including gas quality, gas odour neutralisation and gas pressure requirements applicable to connection of biogas installations to gas systems. Those technical rules shall be established in compliance with objective and non-discriminatory principles. Article
Connection of Biogas Installations to Gas Systems
Gas systems operators must create conditions for supply of biogas to gas systems. Biogas installations must be connected to gas systems provided that producers of biogas comply with all technical, quality and other requirements set forth in Article 31 of this Law.
The gas system operator shall, within 30 calendar days from lodging a request for connection of biogas installations to gas systems, provide any new producer of biogas wishing to connect the biogas installations to the gas systems with the comprehensive and necessary information, including: 1) connection technical specifications; 2) a detailed estimate of the costs associated with the connection; 3) a reasonable and precise timetable for receiving and processing the requests for connection to the gas systems; 4) a reasonable indicative timetable for the proposed connection to the gas systems.
Connection of biogas installations to gas systems shall be a service meeting public interest.
Biogas installations shall be connected to gas systems in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts. Connection tariffs for biogas installations shall be equal to the price of works performed by the contractor winning a tender announced by a gas system operator for connection of the installations to the gas systems, subject to a connection tariff discount in the amount of 40 per cent applied in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Government or an institution authorised by it.
The expenses relating to connection of biogas installations to gas systems shall be shared by the gas system operator and the producer. The gas system operator shall reimburse to the producer the connection tariff discount in the amount referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article. The rest of the expenses associated with connection to gas systems shall be borne by the producer. Article
Transfer of Biogas The Government or an institution authorised by it shall lay down a procedure for using biogas transferred by gas systems. Article
Consumption of Biogas In respect of consumers who conclude gas purchase contracts with the biogas supplier, consumption of biogas shall be taken into account, having regard to pollution caused by it, energy production, consumption of natural gas and other statistical and settlement data. Article
Supervision and Control of Biogas-Related Activities
The National Control Commission for Prices and Energy shall supervise and control authorisation of biogas producers for connection of their installations to gas systems, application of connection premiums and transparency of feeding-in of biogas into the gas systems.
The State Energy Inspectorate under the Ministry of Energy shall control compliance of biogas producers supplying biogas to gas systems with the requirements set forth in the rules referred to in Article 31 of this Law.
If requested, biogas producers shall provide information related to biogas production activities pursued by them to gas system operators, the National Control Commission for Prices and Energy, the Ministry of Energy and the State Energy Inspectorate under the Ministry of Energy. CHAPTER SEVEN DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTION AND USE OF ENERGY FROM RENEWABLE SOURCES IN TRANSPORT Article
Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources in Transport
The use of biofuels for transport, biogas, electricity, hydrogen and other alternative fuels shall be promoted in the transport sector.
Support for the production and use of energy from renewable sources in transport shall be provided for in programmes for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources and in other applicable support schemes.
In conducting public procurement procedures, state institutions, agencies, enterprises shall consider the possibilities of procuring the vehicles driven by energy from renewable sources, hydrogen, electromobiles and hybrid vehicles.
Mandatory environmental criteria for purchased vehicles shall be established by the Government, the Ministry of Transport and Communications shall approve the methods of estimation of the impact of the period of vehicles’ operational lifetime on the energy sector and the environment, including consumption and emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.
Municipalities shall promote the use, in public transport and in protected areas, of the vehicles driven by energy from renewable sources, hydrogen, electromobiles and hybrid vehicles.
Municipalities shall create the infrastructure required for the development of the use of the vehicles powered by energy from renewable sources, hydrogen and electricity acting in compliance with action plans for the development of the use of energy from renewable sources of the appropriate municipality.
The Government or an institution authorised by it shall determine the allowable or mandatory share of biofuels for transport blended in fuels produced from mineral fuels. The mandatory blending of biofuels for transport in fuels produced from mineral fuels shall be a service meeting public interest.
The Ministry of Energy shall, in co-operation with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Transport and Communications, determine binding quality requirements for biofuels for transport.
Biofuels for transport may also be produced from confiscated alcohol products. The Government or institutions authorised by it shall establish the procedure for using confiscated alcohol products for production of biofuels for transport. Article
Sustainability System for Biofuels for Transport and Bioliquids
Biofuels for transport and bioliquids must fulfil the sustainability criteria established in Article 38 of this Law, irrespective of the country where the raw materials used for their production were cultivated (obtained): 1) measuring compliance with the requirements of Article 55 of this Law concerning national targets; 2) measuring compliance of energy producers with renewable energy obligations; 3) eligibility for financial support for the consumption of biofuels for transport and bioliquids.
As regards other sustainability objectives, account must be taken of biofuels and bioliquids obtained in compliance with the sustainability criteria stipulated in Article 38 of this Law for the purposes referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
Where biofuels for transport and bioliquids are to be taken into account for the purposes referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, an institution authorised by the Government shall require economic operators to show that the sustainability criteria set out in Article 38

(2),

(3),

(4),

(6)and

(7)of this Law have been fulfilled. For that purpose they shall require economic operators to use a mass balance system which: 1) allows consignments of raw material and biofuel with differing sustainability characteristics to be mixed; 2) requires information about the sustainability characteristics and sizes of the consignments referred to in subparagraph 1 of this paragraph to remain assigned to the mixture; 3) provides for the sum of all consignments withdrawn from the mixture to be described as having the same sustainability characteristics, in the same quantities, as the sum of all consignments added to the mixture. 4. An institution authorised by the Government shall take measures to ensure that economic operators submit reliable information and the data that were used to develop the information on compliance with the sustainability criteria specified in Article 38

(2),

(3),

(4),

(6)and

(7)of this Law, appropriate and relevant information on measures taken for soil, water and air protection, the restoration of degraded land, the avoidance of excessive water consumption in areas where fresh water is scarce, also another information under the list of appropriate and relevant information compiled by the European Commission.

Economic operators shall arrange for an adequate standard of independent auditing of the information submitted and provide evidence to an institution authorised by the Government that this has been done. The institution authorised by the Government shall, in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Government, carry out audit, which shall verify that the systems used by the economic operators are accurate, reliable and protected against fraud. The audit shall evaluate the frequency and methodology of sampling and the robustness of the data.
Where the operator submits evidence or data received under bilateral or multilateral agreements concluded by the European Union with third countries and containing provisions on sustainability criteria and where the European Commission decides that those agreements demonstrate that biofuels for transport and bioliquids produced from raw materials cultivated (obtained) in those countries comply with the sustainability criteria in question, to the extent covered by that decision of the European Commission, an institution authorised by the Government shall not require the operator to provide further evidence of compliance with the sustainability criteria set out in Article 38

(2),

(3),

(4),

(6)and

(7)of this Law nor information on measures referred to in paragraph 4 of this Article.

An institution authorised by the Government shall, in accordance with the procedure and within the time limits laid down by the Government, submit to the European Commission, in aggregated form, the information referred to in paragraph 3 of this Article.
The Government shall, in compliance with the requirements set forth by this Article, establish the procedure for controlling compliance of biofuels for transport and bioliquids with sustainability criteria, also the procedure for certifying biofuels for transport and bioliquids fulfilling sustainability criteria.
The greenhouse gas impact of biofuels for transport, bioliquids and their fossil fuel comparators specified in Article 38

(2)of this Law shall be calculated in compliance with the rules approved by the Ministry of Environment. 10. However, biofuels for transport and bioliquids produced from waste and residues, other than agricultural, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry residues, need only fulfil the sustainability criteria set out in Article 38

(2)of this Law in order to be taken into account for the purposes referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article. Article

Sustainability Criteria for Biofuels for Transport and Bioliquids
Biofuels for transport and bioliquids must, for the purposes referred to in Article 37

(1)of this Law, fulfil the sustainability criteria established in paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 of this Article, irrespective of the country where the raw materials used for their production were cultivated (obtained).

The greenhouse gas emission saving from the use of biofuels for transport and bioliquids, compared against the amount of emissions from the use of fossil fuels, must be reduced: 1) by at least 35 per cent, and in the case of biofuels for transport and bioliquids produced by installations that were in operation on 23 January 2008, this requirement shall apply from 1 April 2013; 2) by at least 50 per cent from 1 January 2017; 3) by at least 60 per cent from 1 January 2018 for biofuels for transport and bioliquids produced in installations in which production started on or after 1 January
Biofuels for transport and bioliquids shall not be made from raw material obtained from land with high biodiversity value, namely land that had one of the following statuses in or after January 2008, whether or not the land continues to have that status: 1) primary forest and other wooded land (jungle, taiga, etc.), namely, forest and other wooded land of native species, where there is no clearly visible indication of human activity and the ecological processes are not significantly disturbed; 2) areas designated by legal acts of a specific state or by the relevant competent authority for nature protection purposes, or for the protection of rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems or species recognised by international agreements or included in lists drawn up by intergovernmental organisations or the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, unless evidence is provided that the production of that raw material did not interfere with those nature protection purposes; 3) highly biodiverse natural grassland, namely, grassland which would remain grassland in the absence of human intervention and which maintains the natural species composition and ecological characteristics and processes; 4) highly biodiverse non-natural grassland, namely, grassland that would cease to be grassland in the absence of human intervention and which is species-rich and not degraded, unless evidence is provided that the harvesting of the raw material is necessary to preserve its grassland status.
Biofuels and bioliquids shall not be made from raw material obtained from land with high carbon stock, namely, land that had one of the following statuses in January 2008 and no longer has that status: 1) wetlands, namely land that is covered with or saturated by water permanently or for a significant part of the year; 2) continuously forested areas, namely, land spanning more than one hectare with trees higher than five metres and a canopy cover of more than 30 per cent, or trees able to reach those thresholds in situ; 3) land spanning more than one hectare with trees higher than five metres and a canopy cover of between 10 per cent and 30 per cent, or trees able to reach those thresholds in situ, unless evidence is provided that the carbon stock of the area before and after conversion is such that, when the methodology laid down in Article 37

(9)is applied, the conditions laid down in paragraph 2 of this Article would be fulfilled.

The provisions of paragraph 4 of this Article shall not apply if, at the time the raw material was obtained, the land had the same status as it had in January
Biofuels for transport and bioliquids shall not be made from raw material obtained from land that was peatland in January 2008, unless evidence is provided that the cultivation and harvesting of that raw material does not involve drainage of previously undrained soil.
Agricultural raw materials cultivated in the European Union and used for the production of biofuels for transport and bioliquids shall be obtained in accordance with the requirements and standards under the provisions referred to under the heading "Environment" in part A and in point 9 of Annex II to Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 of 19 January 2009 establishing common rules for direct support schemes for farmers under the common agricultural policy and establishing certain support schemes for farmers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1290/2005, (EC) No 247/2006, (EC) No 378/2007 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 (OJ 2009 L 30, p. 16), and in accordance with the minimum requirements for good agricultural and environmental condition defined pursuant to Article 6

(1)of that Regulation. Article

Blending of Biofuels for Transport in Fuels Produced from Mineral Fuels
On 1 January 2013 at the latest, fuel sales points must commence trading in petrol conforming to the standards of the Republic of Lithuania or the European Union and containing from 5 to 10 per cent of biofuels for transport, and on 1 January 2012 at the latest – trading in diesel containing at least 7 per cent of biofuels for transport.
On 1 January 2015, fuel sales points must commence trading in biofuels for transport and mixed fuels with the share of biofuels for transport blended in mineral oil products exceeding the percentage indicated in paragraph 1 of this Article.
The procedure for and the terms of implementing the requirements of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall be established by the Ministry of Transport and Communications in co-operation with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Energy.
The Lithuanian Standards Board under the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania shall draw up national standards for biofuels for transport and mixed fuels with the share of biofuels blended in mineral fuels exceeding the percentage indicated in paragraph 1 of this Article.
Fuel sales points must indicate the percentage of biofuels for transport blended in mineral oil products when such percentage exceeds 5 per cent of volume of these products in petrol and 7 per cent of volume of these products in diesel. CHAPTER EIGHT NATIONAL PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND FUNDING PROGRAMMES Article
National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources
The National Programme for the Development of Renewable Energy Sources shall stipulate guidelines for state energy policy in the sector of renewable energy for a period of ten years.
The National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources shall pursue the aim of establishing national targets for the share of energy from renewable sources consumed in electricity, heating and transport and the appropriate measures for reaching such targets. The national targets shall be set for 2011-2012, 2013-2014, 2015-2016, 2017-2018 and 2019-
The National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources shall be approved by the Government.
The provisions of the National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources shall be implemented through the implementation of the Inter-institutional Action Plan of the National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources, which shall be drawn up and amended by an institution authorised by the Government in accordance with the periodicity and under the terms and conditions specified by the Government.
The National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and the Inter-institutional Action Plan shall be implemented by state and/or municipal institutions, agencies and/or other persons concerned within their remit.
Implementation of the National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and the Inter-institutional Action Plan shall be co-ordinated, and monitoring of implementation thereof shall be carried out by an institution authorised by the Government. The amended report on the implementation of the National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and the Inter-institutional Action Plan shall be submitted to the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania on an annual basis.
Implementation of the National Programme for the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and the Inter-institutional Action Plan shall be funded from programmes for funding the promotion of the use of renewable energy sources, appropriations of the State Budget and municipal budgets, EU support funds, funds of natural and legal persons, also other funds received in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania. Article
Programmes for Funding the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources
The national programme for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources and municipal programmes for funding the development programme of the use of renewable energy sources shall be developed to promote the use of renewable energy sources.
Funds of the national programme for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources shall be accumulated in the State Treasury account. The revenue and expenditure of the national programme for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources shall be earmarked in the State Budget having regard to the principles of programme funding.
Funds of municipal programmes for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources shall be accumulated in separate municipal budget accounts. The revenue and expenditure of the municipal programmes for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources shall be earmarked in municipal budgets in accordance with the procedure laid down by municipal councils.
The national programme for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources shall be funded from the following sources: 1) a share of the actual excise revenue from sold liquid fuel (fuel oil), orimulsion, natural gas, coal, coke and lignite used for the production of heating and electricity, gas oil used for heating (domestic heating oil), electricity in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Excise Duty; 2) the revenue received from statistical energy transfers referred to in Article 58 of this Law; 3) state budget appropriations; 4) funds of the Special Programme for Climate Change, as referred to in paragraph 6 of this Article; 5) funds of EU support; 6) voluntary funds of natural and legal persons and foreign states allocated for the development of the use of renewable energy sources; 7) other funds received in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania.
Municipal programmes for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources shall be funded from the following sources: 1) a share of the actual excise revenue from sold liquid fuel (fuel oil), orimulsion, natural gas, coal, coke and lignite used for the production of heating and electricity, gas oil used for heating (domestic heating oil), electricity in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Law of the Republic of Lithuania on Excise Duty; 2) appropriations from municipal budgets; 3) funds of EU support; 4) the tax referred to in Article 66

(4)of this Law; 5) independent funds of natural and legal persons and foreign states allocated for the development of the use of renewable energy sources; 6) other funds received in accordance with the procedure laid down by legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania.

The instruments of development of renewable energy sources shall be additionally funded with up to 40 per cent of funds of the Special Programme for Climate Change, which shall be kept in the State Treasury account separately from other funds of the national programme for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources and shall be administered in accordance with the procedure for using the funds of the Special Programme for Climate Change specified by the Minister of Environment. Article
Use of Funds of Programmes for Funding the Development of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources
Funds of the national programme for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources shall be used in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Government.
Funds of the national programme for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources shall be used: 1) for implementation of projects of use of solid biofuels for production of heating and/or cooling supplied to heating (cooling) systems, also consumed in industrial enterprises, agricultural and commercial facilities; 2) for implementation of projects of use of biogas for production of heating and/or cooling supplied to heating (cooling) systems, also consumed in industrial enterprises, agricultural and commercial facilities; 3) for implementation of projects of use of other renewable energy sources for production of heating and/or cooling supplied to heating (cooling) systems, also consumed in industrial enterprises, agricultural and commercial facilities; 4) for implementation of projects of biogas production, extraction, purification, cleaning and preparation for subsequent direct consumption when supplying biogas to natural gas networks and/or for transportation to the location of final consumption; 5) for support of purchase of electromobiles, hydrogen powered and hybrid vehicles and adaptation of vehicles for the use of energy from renewable sources; 6) for implementation of projects of the use of geothermal energy for energy production; 7) for development and manufacture of technologies using renewable energy sources; 8) for support of production of biofuels; 9) for conducting of research related to research in the area of renewable energy sources, pilot projects for the use of such sources; 10) for administration of the national programme for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources.
Funds of municipal programmes for funding the development of the use of renewable energy sources shall be used: 1) for support of procurement of the equipment promoting the use of renewable energy sources for own needs in the residential and public sectors by reimbursing the fixed amount of funds allocated per unit of installed capacity under the procedure approved by a municipality; 2) for the development of the infrastructure of the use of energy from renewable sources in the transport sector; 3) for the development of the infrastructure of energy production from renewable sources in the transport sector; 4) for implementation of projects of creation and development of the network of charging stations for electromobiles and hydrogen powered vehicles and other required infrastructure; 5) for implementation of demonstrational projects relating to a wider use hybrid vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles or electromobiles and/or introduction of the infrastructure required for the operation of these vehicles; 6) for provision of information to the public, its education, consulting and training on the issues of introduction of technologies of the use o

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