Lithuania has more than tripled its 2030 renewable hydrogen target and now aims to produce 129,000 t/yr from 1.3GW electrolyser capacity, according to the hydrogen roadmap approved by the government today.
A previous draft from July last year set a goal of 350MW of electrolyser capacity and 34,000 t/yr production.
According to the ministry, the main applications of renewable hydrogen will be fertiliser production, refining and mobility — including use of derivatives such as synthetic fuels.
Lithuania can currently produce 264,000 t/yr of hydrogen from natural gas with unabated emissions. The bulk of this, roughly 200,000 t/yr, is used for ammonia production, with the remainder largely going to refineries, which consume over 50,000 t/yr.
By 2030, Lithuania could consume around 96,000 t/yr of renewable hydrogen domestically, largely to replace existing grey hydrogen use. Some 82,000 t/yr of renewable hydrogen could be used in fertiliser production to meet EU requirements for 42pc of hydrogen consumption in industry to come from renewable sources by 2030. While the government did not specify the reasons for the higher production targets, the need to comply with these EU rules — which were finalised in mid-2023 — may have contributed.
Additional demand is expected from the transport sector. By 2030, the government aims to have at least 10 hydrogen refuelling stations, with at least one dedicated to the shipping sector. It also aims to have part of the public transport of at least five cities running on renewable hydrogen.
The ministry plans to promote up to 10pc of hydrogen blending in the gas network as a way to kickstart the market and increase adoption. The strategy also anticipates use of hydrogen for power generation, primarily as a means of stabilising the grid and for electricity storage.
Two hydrogen valleys could be developed — hubs for production and distribution of renewable hydrogen, according to the ministry. One is planned in the northwest of the country to leverage offshore wind potential and exports, while another is foreseen for the central region, which boasts "well-developed electricity transmission network" that could allow surplus power to go towards hydrogen production.
Investments of around €4.4bn ($4.7bn) will be needed in the renewable hydrogen sector by 2030, the government said. This is expected to come partly from a mix of EU funding programmes and state investment, and partly from private funds.
The government said it will look into implementing subsidies and grants schemes, tax incentives, loan guarantees and financing programmes, while it will also consider measures to streamline permitting.
| Lithuania renewable hydrogen demand targets | (t/yr) | ||
| 2030 | 2040 | 2050 | |
| Ammonia production | 82,000 | 240,000 | 472,000 |
| Refining (E-fuels production after 2030) | 5,000 | 92,000 | 141,000 |
| Transportation | 8,000 | 32,000 | 51,000 |
| Electricity production | 0 | 0 | 17,000 |
| Other domestic use | 1,000 | 4,000 | 7,000 |
| Exports | 33,000 | 51,000 | 44,000 |
| Total | 129,000 | 419,000 | 732,000 |
| - Lithuania energy ministry | |||
