ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ

ÌÇÐÄvlogÃÛÌÒ (VU) has acquired two large remote solar power plants and installed photovoltaic power stations on the rooftops of 19 University-owned buildings in Vilnius and Å iauliai. Together, these solar power facilities will generate up to 5,600 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity annually, covering around one-third of VU’s total yearly electricity consumption. This initiative, along with the University’s five-year practice of purchasing green electricity from an independent supplier, advances the implementation of VU’s strategic climate neutrality plan.

The electricity generated by the solar plants will reduce VU’s dependence on external energy suppliers and will also contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions both in Lithuania and globally. This marks an important step towards the University’s ambition of becoming a leading higher education institution in the field of sustainability. VU’s investment in renewable energy reflects the values of the University community and its commitment to fostering a responsible environmental mindset among students and staff.

‘Having prepared our projects on time, we were able to take advantage of favourable conditions to install solar panels on VU rooftops and acquire several remote power plants. This will allow us to cover a significant share of our electricity needs with self-generated power and move forward with the implementation of our sustainability policy,’ said VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas.

VU consumes an average of around 18,000 MWh of electricity each year. Since 2021, the University has phased out polluting energy sources, becoming one of the first major institutions in Lithuania to meet all of its electricity needs with purchased green energy. As a result, VU now prevents the release of roughly 7,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) into the atmosphere each year.

In 2024, VU purchased a 2-megawatt (MW) solar power plant in the Kaunas District and a 2.2 MW plant in the Biržai District. These two remote solar facilities generate approximately 4,400 MWh of electricity for VU each year.

In 2025, the University installed solar panels on the rooftops of 19 dormitories and research buildings in Vilnius and Å iauliai, with most located on the SaulÄ—tekis campus in Vilnius. The total capacity of the rooftop systems is 1.37 MW, producing around 1,200 MWh of electricity annually. Combined, the solar power plants owned by VU generate enough electricity each year to supply about 1,100 large households, based on the average annual electricity consumption of 5.1 MWh per household in Lithuania.

VU remains committed to investing in environmentally friendly solutions that reduce pollution and cut energy consumption. These long-term goals are embedded in the University’s strategy, which includes achieving climate neutrality, advancing research and education that have a positive environmental impact, and fostering a greener mindset across society. A key priority is to become a more sustainable and environmentally responsible institution that consistently reduces its greenhouse gas emissions.