Analytics, Energy, Lithuania, Markets and Companies, Society

If one is to believe figures provided by economists and politicians, Lithuania's economy is constantly growing, contrary to the times of crisis. Therefore, consumption should also be increasing, both among household consumers and industry. But this is not the case.

Because of emigration the number of household consumers has been reducing constantly. For example, 50.8 million cubic metres of drinking water were consumer in 2013, which is by 2.3% less than the year before that. The fact that residents suspend agreements with suppliers for six months or other periods shows that reduction is related to emigration. Although water suppliers can be pleased with the growing consumption among major consumers – institutions, industrial companies etc. – as in 2013 they consumed 41.5 million cubic metres of water, or by 5% more than the year before. Similar situation is in the electricity market. Electrical energy consumption grew in 2013, however, household users consumed less, whereas consumption in industrial and trade sectors increased.

In addition, 49,921 residents chose to temporarily suspend electricity consumption in 2013. Representative of electricity distribution company LESTO, Paulius Stonys, regretted that data was unavailable as for how many people chose to suspend or terminate agreements due to emigration.

According to Jolita Butkiene, representative of gas supply company Lietuvos Dujos (Lithuania Gas), in 2009 Lithuanian residents consumed 181 million cubic metres of gas and in 2010 – 198 million cubic metres. But then consumption started to fall: in 2011 – 181 million, in 2012 – 169 million, in 2013 – 154 million. "Reduced consumption may have several causes. For example people started saving due to growing price. Perhaps it may be the effect of emigration," guessed Butkiene. Yet, how many people terminated agreements with Lietuvos Dujos in 2013 is unknown.