Seimas energy committee backs extra funds in Lithuania's 2027 budget: €25 million short for underground cables

The Seimas Committee on Energy and Sustainable Development examined the 2027 draft state budget on Wednesday, 4 November, and backed proposals for additional funding for the Ministry of Energy, the State Nuclear Power Safety Inspectorate (VATESI) and the Office of the Seimas, the ELTA news agency reported. In its conclusions the committee asks the Budget and Finance Committee to take these needs into account and the government to assess whether the money can be allocated.

What the ministry wants. The ministry's chancellor, Eglė Radišauskienė, said most of the extra funds would be needed for grid resilience and residents' energy autonomy. "The main shortfall is for cables. We are about €25 million short of being able to cable up to 1,200 additional kilometres. If we want more consumers who can operate autonomously – solar, batteries, generators – another €60 million," she said. Between €12 million and €24 million is planned for generators for residents whose power cannot be restored within 72 hours. The ministry is also seeking about €840,000 for salaries.

Context. In September the government approved the power grid resilience plan, the so-called "storm package", drawn up partly in response to the August storm and due to be completed by 2030. It provides for replacing 5,900 kilometres of lines in forested areas with cables and a reserve of up to 40,000 small generators, without specifying funding sources, according to the portal infa.lt. Energy Minister Lukas Savickas estimated in late October that €150–200 million would be needed in 2027 alone so that grid investment does not raise the tariff.

What comes next. The proposals go to the Budget and Finance Committee, which is preparing its opinion on the draft budget; final decisions will be taken in later debates.

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