EU Energy Island – Characteristics, Threats, and How to Break out of it: A Case Study of Lithuania

Abstract A case study of Lithuania as an EU energy island is conducted in the article. For this purpose, the description of an energy island in the EU as a phenomenon is set forth, and its characteristics are identified and explicated. The performed study showed that in 1990-2009 Lithuania corresponded partially and in 2010-2013 fully to the characteristics of the EU’s energy island, whereas the Russian Federation, as a dominant energy supplier, abused the circumstances, executed a coercive energy policy, thus posing threats not only for energy but also for economic and national security. However, in 2015, having constructed alternative electricity and gas supply routes and established market conditions in the energy sector, Lithuania reached a turning point and pulled away from energy dependency on Russia. Lithuania is to be regarded as a good case of the EU energy island to study.