The number of producing consumers in Lithuania has surged from about 8,000 in 2020 to a projected 170,000 by 2024, reflecting a more than fifteenfold increase during the Šimonytė government’s tenure. This substantial rise is attributed to focused efforts on increasing financing and ensuring stable support, with a clear goal set for 2030 to reach at least 300,000 producing and active consumers. These proactive measures have shown effectiveness, especially following the government’s change, with the numbers continuing to climb due to the implementation of previously planned strategies.

However, recent decisions threaten to slow down this momentum. Funding for support this year has been cut to half of what it was last year, marking the lowest financial backing since the onset of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and the energy crisis. This period highlighted for Lithuania the importance of energy independence as a matter of national security, and the current reduction in funding sends a contrary signal that may undermine these critical developments.

Moreover, the lowering of support intensity, especially for rooftop solar installations, where subsidies are now decreased from 255 euros, raises concerns about the future viability of this burgeoning sector. The implications of these funding reductions could hinder not just the growth of producing consumers but also the broader push for energy self-sufficiency in Lithuania, with potential negative effects on both the economy and national security in the face of ongoing regional challenges.