Lithuania is expected to generate more than 23% of its energy needs through renewable sources.

According to a press release published Thursday, the European directive permitting cooperation mechanisms means that Lithuania will transfer renewable energy quantities to Luxembourg from wind, solar and geothermal sources and then by biomass through sustainable forest management.

The agreement, which was signed during a state visit to Lithuania, extends from 2018 to 2020.

“With the signing of this agreement, we are on the right track to fulfil our 2011 national action plan because we are the first to show that real cooperation in the field of renewable energies is possible and benefits both the partners in the agreement and the objective pursued at European level,” economy minister Étienne Schneider said.

Cooperation mechanisms offer the possibility of transferring renewable energy quantities from one country to another member state.

In 2011, Luxembourg started negotiations with various member states which could exceed their 2020 target. In 2011, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Lithuania to collaborate in this area. Negotiations intensified in 2015 and finally led to the signature of the agreement, which is a first in Europe in this area.

Luxembourg is expected to sign another renewable energy cooperation agreement with Estonia on 7 November.