Tendencies of alternative energetics development in Lithuania

Abstract

Plant biomass used for power purposes is the most important energy source. At present plant biomass used for power makes up approximately 90% of all the renewable energy used in Lithuania. The work aim is to determine the technical potential of plant biomass growing and usage for power purposes in Lithuania. Wood as a fuel is most widely used at present. The potential of this fuel makes 763 thosand toe, but only 80% is used today. Potential of straw as a fuel makes about 167.2 thousand toe. The resources of plant energy biomass may be supplied by specialy grown plants: osier wilow, perennnial grasses, rapes, cereals and sugal beets. 22% of agricultural land can be attributed for this purpose. The total potential of plant biomass then would be 2.4 Mtoe but only 25.5% of it is used at present. If this plant biomass potential were used the greenhouse gas emission would be reduced by 4.4 Mt and 6400 new work places would be created.