Lithuania holds significant potential for geothermal energy, particularly for heating in its western region, though development requires substantial investment and policy support. Professor Mayur Pal, from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Kaunas University of Technology and head of the GeoEnergy Research and Innovation Lab at M-Lab, emphasized this during a recent discussion on the country’s energy prospects.

Klaipeda, Lithuania

Lithuania has prior experience with geothermal heating through the Klaipeda demonstration plant, located in the western city of Klaipeda along the Baltic Sea coast. Between 1997 and 1998, four wells were drilled to access the Lower Devonian sandstone at a depth of 1,000 meters. The facility, operational since 2000, supplied heat to the local district heating network. However, technical challenges, including gypsum precipitation and reduced injectivity, led to lower-than-expected flow rates. Despite remedial efforts, such as drilling a sidetrack well, chemical treatments, and radial jet drilling, improvements were minimal. By 2017, the operator, Geoterma, ceased operations and declared bankruptcy, facing debts exceeding €3 million.

Despite these setbacks, subsurface data from Klaipeda confirms the viability of geothermal resources for heating. Pal noted: “Deeper, at about 2–2.5 thousand metres, other sandstone deposits are found, with temperatures reaching around 96°C. These layers are theoretically more suitable for electricity generation, but their quality depends heavily on the location: in central Lithuania, these deposits have better porosity and permeability, while in western Lithuania, these properties are poorer.”

Geothermal energy could play a strategic role in Lithuania’s energy landscape, reducing reliance on imported electricity and gas for domestic consumption. Pal stated: “A few hundred MW from Cambrian geothermal systems could offset electricity imports, and Devonian aquifers could replace the use of biomass or gas in district heating networks.” He estimated that geothermal could contribute 5–10% of Lithuania’s renewable energy target, equating to 50–100 megawatts from Cambrian systems.

The stable and continuous supply of geothermal energy makes it a valuable complement to variable solar and wind outputs, providing a reliable base capacity. Pal highlighted: “Geothermal energy could make up 5–10 per cent of the 45 per cent share of renewable energy sources.” With strategic investment, Lithuania could lead geothermal development in the Baltic region, enhancing energy security and supporting sustainable heating solutions for local communities.