Vaclovas Miškinis, Head of Energy Systems Research of the Lithuanian Energy Institute, Lithuania

— Baltic NPP should be planned not simply only like a plant but like a complex with interconnections.

Closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in 2009 puts the problem of stable electricity supplies to the Baltic states in future. Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are involved in the new Ignalina NPP construction project. But more and more often some of these countries (Poland and Estonia) announce the possibility of starting their own nuclear generation.

— Will the Baltic countries feel lack of electricity after the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant?

— Dependence on electricity produced by the Ignalina NPP now is 60%. The problem is that the new nuclear power plant would be constructed in only, let say, really maybe in 2020. So we will have rather complicated period from energy supply option. We will have much higher share of natural gas.

We shall introduce various measures to mitigate problems after the closure of the nuclear power plant. The Baltic countries may feel some lack of electricity.We will be more intended on import.

— Why do Poland and Estonia announce the possibility of construction of their own nuclear power plants?

— This is maybe more political, let say, reason, because really this construction takes long time. They can expect real progress not so fast… The process takes much time, it is going too slowly in comparison with what it could be expected. Besides we have some opposition, maybe not exactly opposition against construction, simply because politicians are talking that company which was formed for construction of nuclear power plant is not transparent, not enough transparent…

— If the Baltic states feel electricity deficit after the closure of the Ignalina NPP, may the Baltic NPP in Kaliningrad region theoretically also become a source of electricity for the Baltic countries?

— Principally, yes. We can expect some import…

This nuclear power plant is constructed mostly for export of electricity. There are plans to construct two units, but the real demand would be covered by one plant. This new nuclear plant would be more reasonable if exactly export electricity to Sweden or to Germany, for example to build some lines or cable. It should be planned not simply only like a plant but like a complex with interconnections.