Environmental Dialogues is an event series organised as part of the Defining Climate Realism project. Through the series, Baltijos Lizdas and the Institute of European Right aim to bring together local communities, experts and decision-makers to discuss specific environmental challenges facing Lithuania’s regions and explore practical solutions.
Although more than ten permits for wind turbine construction have already been issued in the Kėdainiai region, not a single wind turbine is currently operational. During a discussion in Kėdainiai, politicians, experts and community representatives acknowledged that renewable energy projects in the regions continue to face public distrust, while dialogue between authorities, developers and local communities often remains challenging.
The discussion focused on the development of wind energy projects in the region and the challenges of balancing national energy goals with the interests of local residents. Participants included Members of Parliament Raimundas Kuodis and Viktoras Fiodorovas, Kėdainiai District Municipal Council member Kęstas Šlama and Director of the Kėdainiai District Municipality Administration Gintautas Muznikas.
Community opposition
There are currently no operational wind turbines in Kėdainiai, despite several attempts to develop wind energy projects in the region.
According to Gintautas Muznikas, Director of the Kėdainiai District Municipality Administration, the first attempts to develop a wind farm in the region began a decade ago, but the projects encountered opposition from local communities.
“We currently have several projects that may eventually move forward, but Kėdainiai still does not have a single operational wind turbine. The same scenario tends to repeat itself – developers meet with communities, residents raise their concerns, but constructive dialogue never really takes place. Eventually, projects stall or developers withdraw,” says Muznikas.
There are currently 13 permits for wind turbine construction in the region, although this does not necessarily mean that all of the projects will be implemented. Preparatory work is already underway in the Gudžiūnai and Vilainiai elderships, where dialogue between developers and communities has been more constructive. In other areas, however, the situation remains more difficult, with some communities actively seeking ways to stop planned wind energy developments.
Politicians call for a balanced approach
Kęstas Šlama, a member of the Kėdainiai District Municipal Council, notes that public discussions tend to be dominated by those who strongly oppose wind energy projects, while more moderate views often remain unheard.
“Community meetings are usually attended most actively by those who oppose wind farms. Meanwhile, people who see the potential benefits for the region or have a more balanced perspective often remain unheard. We need to be able to listen to all sides, not only those who protest the loudest,” says Šlama.
Muznikas, meanwhile, emphasises that renewable energy development is an important national interest, but projects cannot be implemented while ignoring the views of local residents.
“If there were constructive dialogue and communities were clearly informed about the real benefits of these projects, some people would view them much more positively. Today, communities often raise questions because they are not properly informed and learn about planned projects not from the municipality or developers, but by opening their local newspaper,” says Muznikas.
Commitment to stronger dialogue with communities
Participants agreed that as Lithuania works towards greater energy independence, it is important to find ways to develop renewable energy responsibly. However, this process cannot succeed without closer dialogue with local communities.
Local politicians participating in the discussion committed to strengthening engagement with communities and seeking balanced solutions for the region’s development.
The event is part of a project organised by Baltijos Lizdas together with the Institute of European Right, aimed at encouraging dialogue on practical approaches to environmental protection across Lithuania.
Teodoras Žukas, Director of the Institute of European Right, says that Lithuania often lacks consistent and evidence-based dialogue on environmental and energy policy.
“Energy independence is not only a technical or economic issue – it is also a matter of national security. But achieving shared goals requires open dialogue with communities and solutions that build trust between the state, businesses and local residents rather than creating division,” says Žukas.
The Environmental Dialogues series will continue across different regions of Lithuania, addressing environmental, energy and regional development issues that matter to local communities.
“We bring together local communities, politicians, experts and businesses not simply to discuss issues, but to search for solutions together. Our aim is for these conversations to go beyond one-off initiatives and become a foundation for practical action. The insights and proposals developed during the discussions will be consolidated and presented to decision-makers at the end of the project,” says Teresė Škutaitė, Director of Baltijos Lizdas.
