Ignitis Group subsidiary Ignitis gamyba has approved plans to expand the Kruonis pumped storage plant in Lithuania and has initiated the first stage of the development – a tender for technical consultation services.

A feasibility study and socioeconomic analysis of the 5th unit of Kruonis was carried out in 2020, where several possible scenarios for expansion were assessed – from modernising the current unit, to installing a new 110–225MW hydropower unit. After assessing the needs of the energy distribution system operator and according to the recommendations of the socioeconomic analysis, it was decided that the most reasonable solution was to install a 110MW hydropower synchronous unit. The socioeconomic analysis found that this solution would be more economically beneficial in the long-term.

The first procurement will select the contractor, who will help Ignitis gamyba prepare the technical requirements for the new unit. Ignitis gamyba will decide on the investment into the expansion only after the results of the contractor procurement are received and after the assessment of the construction costs.

The expansion of Kruonis would contribute towards implementing the goals of the National Energy Independence Strategy for Lithuania. The new hydropower unit will help meet the energy system demand of the state and reduce dependency on imported electricity by retaining local, reliable and competitive electricity generation while increasing the internal energy generation capacity at the same time.

According to the preliminary assessment, the 5th hydropower unit of Kruonis will commence operations in 2025.