| Abstract [eng] |
The importance of energy for business is steadily increasing due to increased energy needs that can no longer be met by the country's limited energy resources. Energy prices are an important factor influencing business competitiveness, therefore, key sectors of the Lithuanian economy are increasingly dependent on changes in energy prices. Industrial companies generating almost one third of the country's gross domestic product and consuming the largest amounts of energy in the country are the most dependent on volatile energy prices. One of the ways of meeting the required energy needs and adjusting the prices is the use of renewable energy sources such as wind, water, solar, biomass. Currently there are 10 industrial parks in Lithuania. Around 1% of all countries industrial enterprises are concentrated there. The establishment of national parks started in 2005 with the hope that they will become a center of attraction for investments and contribute to the growth of the industry. However, over the course of a decade, some of them have become economic zones, some have simply no economic activity. Therefore, the use of renewable energy sources in these defined industrial areas could bring several benefits: it could help to achieve the country's energy goals, stimulate planned investments, and enable the companies operating those areas to become more competitive.The results of the experts assessment have shown that the main business competitiveness indicators, that would be the most affected by the utilization of RES, are decreased production costs of goods / services and increased demand for products / services. Factors that mostly stimulate the use of RES include reduced energy prices, financial support and economic benefits to the businesses. Factors hindering the development of renewable energy include high initial investment, lack of information and indifference by municipal authorities. The potential of RES is the use of small wind turbines (250 kW) for electricity generation and combined solar panels for electricity and heat generation. |
