Energy Market Overview: Lithuania’s Wind Contribution Influences Baltic Electricity Prices
April brought favourable conditions to Estonian consumers and marked the second consecutive month of declining electricity prices. Thanks to sunnier weather and warmer temperatures, the average electricity price in April settled at 5.4 cents per kilowatt-hour, roughly 11.4% lower than in March and more than a quarter lower than in April of the previous year. The last time April was cheaper was in 2021, when the monthly average price stood at 4.4 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The reasons behind the lower prices are clear. Warmer weather reduced heating demand and, as a result, overall electricity consumption. Solar and wind generation increased significantly across the region, bringing a large volume of low-cost electricity to the market. This, in turn, reduced more expensive fossil-based generation. Additional support came from the ongoing Latvian hydropower high season, which helped displace higher-cost fossil-based generation assets.
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Originally published on 5 May
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The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €250 million to Finnish elevator and escalator company KONE to accelerate research, development and innovation in advanced building mobility technologies. The financing will support the development of next-generation elevators, escalators, auto-walks and intelligent digital solutions designed to optimise the movement of people in modern buildings and urban environments.
The EIB loan will support KONE’s research and innovation programme between 2026 and 2029. The activities focus on improving safety, performance and energy efficiency in elevators and escalators, while developing intelligent technologies that help manage people flow in increasingly complex urban environments.
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Originally published on 23 Apr
Offshore wind farms developed by Equinor and Polenergia – Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 – are entering the phase of direct preparations for offshore installation works. In Vlissingen, at the facilities of Smulders, the topside – the main structure of the offshore substation for Bałtyk 3 – has just been rolled out of the production hall and positioned in the outdoor yard. The structure measures 51 × 38 × 43 meters, comparable to a 15-storey building.
Nearby, the topside for Bałtyk 2 is also in place. Both substation topsides, each weighing approximately 3,700 tonnes, are currently undergoing outfitting works and will be transported offshore in line with the installation schedule.
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Originally published on 22 Apr
The scoping process for the planned HYBOR hydrogen pipeline has begun in all affected federal states – Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony and Thuringia. In this early stage of the process, the scope of the investigations for further environmental assessments is being defined in collaboration with the relevant authorities and public interest groups. This lays the groundwork for the subsequent environmental impact assessment and the planning approval process.
Preparatory investigations have been underway along the planned route since the end of 2025. These include environmental mapping of flora and fauna as well as ground investigations. The aim is to assess local conditions at an early stage and to align further planning responsibly with natural and site-specific conditions.
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Originally published on 21 Apr
ICEYE, the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space, has entered a partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute USA (JGI) to deploy its Deforestation Solution across conservation corridors in the Congo Basin, with initial operations focused on the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The eastern DRC is often called the “green heart” of Africa. Its vast rainforests, the world’s second largest, are a critical habitat for chimpanzees, harboring an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 individuals. The Congo Basin region also has the most diverse ape population in the world. Yet these primates face significant threats from bushmeat hunting, habitat loss due to mining and deforestation, and civil conflict.
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Originally published on 22 Apr
Iceland’s flag carrier Icelandair is establishing a technical services centre in Vilnius. Opening in May 2026, the new division will employ 15 specialists in its first year across roles including CAMO engineers, planning engineers, technical records specialists, and maintenance coordinators.
As Icelandair’s first dedicated technical aviation operation in the region, the Lithuanian team will take responsibility for the airline’s third-party technical services. The expansion builds on the carrier’s existing presence in the Baltics through Icelandair Business Services, its long-standing subsidiary in Tallinn, which has provided accounting, ticketing, and back-office services for Icelandair since 2002.
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Originally published on 23 Apr
The Government has approved the special plan for the Kaunas–Vilnius section of the Rail Baltica project. The Government’s decision also provides for the commencement of land acquisition procedures for public needs in the Kaunas and Jonava districts.
The extension of the European standard‑gauge railway to Vilnius is planned to follow the completion of the main Rail Baltica line. In 2024, the three Baltic States and the European Commission agreed to prioritize the construction of the main Rail Baltica line connecting Poland with Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. It is envisaged that the necessary funding for the Kaunas–Vilnius connection will be secured from the forthcoming EU financial period.
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Originally published on 22 Apr
One of the largest biotechnology investments in Lithuania in recent years is gaining momentum – the construction of Pentasweet’s €65 million brazzein sweet protein factory. This major national investment project has entered a new stage: a symbolic capsule has been placed into the foundations of the future factory at the Vilnius City Innovation Industrial Park. The factory is expected to begin operations in the first half of 2027.
“Lithuania is consistently strengthening its high value-added economy and is capable not only of creating innovation but also of turning it into real projects. The Pentasweet factory is the first brazzein production center of its kind in Europe, demonstrating that Lithuania can be among global leaders in life sciences. This is a meaningful investment not only in the economy but also in people’s health. Solutions that enable reduced sugar consumption have great potential to transform the food industry and everyday habits”: Inga Ruginienė, Prime Minister
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Originally published on 22 Apr
Preparation of the first element for the Fehmarnbelt tunnel is well under way. The element, which is the first of a total of 89, has just been filled with 4,500 tonnes of ballast concrete. This increases the weight from 73,500 tonnes and enables the element to later sink in a controlled manner down onto the seabed.
The work inside the element has been carried out via a temporary access structure consisting of five shafts, which are bolted onto the watertight steel bulkheads that keep the water out. At one end there is a materials lift, a concrete shaft and a man‑access shaft, which also functions as ventilation. At the other end there is a ventilation shaft and an emergency shaft for personnel.
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Originally published on 22 Apr
We have recently introduced a refreshed Elcogen brand, including a new visual identity and a more detailed articulation, through a new website design, of who we are and what we stand for. This evolution reflects how our business has grown, how our technology is being applied, and the role we see ourselves playing in a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Our previous tagline focused only on enabling affordable green hydrogen. That remains central to what we do, but it is only part of the picture. At the heart of this brand update is our new tagline: Bridging the energy transition.
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Originally published on 22 Apr
In the North Kiviõli defence industry park in Estonia, ARCA Baltics Operations will begin producing 155 mm artillery ammunition. The total investment amounts to approximately €300 million, and the completed ammunition factory is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs in the region, with production planned to start in 2028.
“With the establishment of large-calibre ammunition production, Estonia is taking an important step in developing its defence capabilities and ammunition industry. ARCA is a rapidly expanding defence company that has in recent years developed a significant ammunition production hub in Turkey. ARCA Baltics Operations, established in Estonia, will build a factory in North Kiviõli where the primary focus will be on producing large-calibre 155 mm ammunition, including extended-range variants. Under the agreement, the Estonian state will also have the option to procure ammunition from this major producer if needed. In addition, the agreement signed today brings an investment of hundreds of millions of euros into the Estonian economy and creates hundreds of new jobs,” said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.
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Originally published on 21 Apr