Green Hydrogen in Vilnius by 2026 – New Plant with EU Support
Vilnius to Pioneer Hydrogen Energy Transformation in Lithuania
MT Group has signed a €10 million EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) contract to deliver Vilnius’s first-ever green hydrogen production facility. The 3 MW installation will be developed in collaboration with the Vilnius city municipality and Vilniaus Šilumos Tinklai – Lithuania’s largest district heating provider.
Modern Infrastructure Powering Public Transport
The project’s aim is to decarbonize urban transport and reduce CO₂ emissions. The facility will produce approximately 3.45 million m³ of green hydrogen annually — equivalent to about 2000 MWh of thermal energy. The production inputs will be water and electricity sourced exclusively from renewable energy. The hydrogen will power 16 public buses, replacing diesel vehicles and cutting CO₂ emissions by an estimated 1,414 tonnes per year.
“This is more than just an infrastructure project. It’s our response to the climate crisis and a step toward a cleaner environment and a smarter transport system,” said Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas. The plant is scheduled to be operational in the first half of 2026. Up to 70% of the project cost will be covered by EU structural funds, with the remaining amount financed by the Vilnius municipality.
A Regional Benchmark
MT Group CEO Mindaugas Zakaras emphasized the broader significance of the project for the entire Baltic region:
“This is a breakthrough moment, showing how strategic goals and political vision can be turned into real, functional infrastructure. The Vilnius plant will meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and technological efficiency. We believe this project will become a benchmark for urban hydrogen solutions across the region.”
MT Group is also working on a similar project at the Port of Klaipėda, where a hydrogen production and refueling station is being developed for maritime logistics.
Lithuania’s Hydrogen Strategy: Goals for 2050
The Vilnius project aligns with Lithuania’s long-term hydrogen economy strategy approved by the national government. Centered on green hydrogen, the plan aims to decarbonize industry and transport, boost energy independence, and position Lithuania as an exporter of green energy.
Key Targets:
- 1.3 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030
- 8.5 GW by 2050
- Annual production of 732,000 tons of hydrogen by 2050, covering 32% of the country’s total final energy demand
- Main sectors: fertilizer and petrochemical industries, transport, and exports
- Increased investments in renewables (onshore and offshore wind, photovoltaics) to power electrolysers
The Port of Klaipėda — one of only two Baltic ports with PERS (Green Port) certification — is building its own hydrogen infrastructure. A 2 MW electrolyzer (producing 530 kg of hydrogen per day) is set to begin operations in 2026, serving ships, municipal transport, and commercial clients.
The Vilnius project will not only produce hydrogen but also utilize waste heat from production to supply the city’s district heating network. Additionally, a refueling station will be established for both public buses and private vehicles, with a capacity of 800–1000 kg/day and refueling times under 15 minutes.
Lithuania’s broader energy market strategy includes building 23.5 GW of renewable energy capacity — 10 GW from onshore wind, 4.5 GW from offshore wind, and 9 GW from solar PV. These resources aim to ensure energy self-sufficiency and create surplus capacity for hydrogen exports to neighboring countries.
Source: interreg-baltic.eu