Water and energy relations in Lithuania

Abstract

Water and energy links have changed considerably over the course of the centuries. Since ancient times water has been used in Lithuania for domestic needs (preparing meals, thirst slaking and hygienic necessities) and in agriculture for watering plants, etc. When handicrafts and industries began to develop, water power was used for working purposes: to turn the wheels of mills, sawmills' mechanisms and wool-carding workshop equipment and later to generate electricity. The first small hydropower plant started working in 1900. In 1935 there were 96 small hydropower plants or mixed hydrostations from 309 electricity-producing ones. In the Soviet period (1940-90) water and energy links quickly changed and their development on a large scale depended on the general needs of the Soviet empire. An attempt is made in the paper to discuss briefly the development of water and energy relations in the fields of electricity production, dam quality, water use and wastewater treatment, polder systems and irrigation during the last decade in Lithuania.