Fossil fuels used for energy are a major contributor to climate change. The most effective way to combat climate change and build a sustainable capital is to switch to renewable energy sources throughout Vilnius as soon as possible. The capital is taking a decisive lead in ensuring that only green energy flows through the city’s arteries as quickly as possible.

Sustainable energy for urban infrastructure

Procedures for the procurement of remote solar power plants for 107 institutions under the authority of Vilnius City Municipality including 83 schools and kindergartens are currently underway. Remote solar power plants are also being purchased for six medical institutions: Vilkpėdė Hospital, Vilnius City Clinical Hospital, and Šeškinė, Antakalnis, Centro and Naujoji Vilnia clinics. The power plants purchased for the institutions are of sufficient capacity to cover substantially all their electricity needs.

It should be noted that new buildings with installed solar power plants or with the possibility of installing them later are designed. In all new buildings, the city installs energy-efficient indoor and outdoor lighting and household appliances.

Vilnius streets are lit only with green electricity. Currently, 96% of the city’s luminaires use LED lamps, and by 2027 this figure will reach 100%.

Electrification

By 2030, Vilnius City Municipality aims to install public electric vehicle charging stations within 500 m of each other in densely populated urban areas. This is a major step to encourage people to use electric cars in the city, thus, reducing air pollution.

In addition, as many as 297 new electric buses will replace the old buses, reducing fossil fuel consumption and providing cleaner air for city residents.

Circular economy solutions

We can make energy not only from the sun, wind or water, but also from industrial waste. Currently, Vilniaus vandenys generates electricity from biogas, which is produced from sludge generated during wastewater treatment. Solar energy is also produced. The possibility of generating thermal energy from treated wastewater is also being tested.

The company Vilniaus apskrities atliekų tvarkymo centras (Vilnius County Waste Management Centre) is, in turn, the only company in Lithuania that produces certified solid recovered fuel from municipal waste, which is used to produce cement. In addition, the biogas produced at the Vilnius Non-Hazardous Waste Landfill is used to heat the landfill buildings.

These are just some of the circular economy solutions that enable the city to reduce waste and generate sustainable energy.

What can you do?

Consider installing a solar power plant on the roof of your house. You can also choose electricity suppliers that use renewable energy sources. Choose environmentally friendly means of mobility, i.e. bicycles, electric cars, public transport. Manage your waste responsibly and pay attention to the circularity of your products or services. By reducing energy consumption and waste, you will contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable urban environment.