Rokas Masiulis: I want to finish what I started with the LNG terminal

R. Masiulis, 51, selected from 11 candidates, comes to lead the company at a crucial moment in which it is initiating real projects of network synchronization with continental Europe, and electricity flows from Lithuania to the Astrava nuclear power plant in Belarus, for which the country’s consumers cannot pay by law, but, according to the Minister of Energy, is already paying.

R. Masiulis responded to questions from BNS.

– Why did you decide to participate in the selection of the manager of Litgrid?

– The synchronization project is the last major energy project on the road to our energy independence. For me personally, finishing what I started with an LNG terminal would be a great honor and a great pleasure.

– There were many challenges with the terminal, the project had to be implemented very quickly. Synchronization poses a similar challenge, as both the president and the energy minister are spreading the message that perhaps the end of its implementation could be accelerated by at least half a year. Is it possible?

– I will be able to answer you in detail as of February 22, when I will start working, but of course I always have to try to find shorter paths, accelerations, and in this case I think it was the right move to set up a prime ministerial commission.

The same commission was created under Butkevičius (former Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius – BNS) to oversee the LNG terminal project and the role of the prime minister and ministers was very important, because it is necessary to coordinate actions, permits and supervisory authorities to that everyone can do their job ASAP.

For me this synchronization project is a continuation of what I did in Klaipeda, and since electricity is my main competence, where I have spent my entire professional life, I know people, I have been in that sector for more than 20 years, it is a natural position.

– Synchronization is a joint project of the three Baltic States and Poland, it requires negotiation and communication skills. There is friction with the Latvians over electricity from Astrava, and there may also be friction with the Poles. There are opinions that the synchronization project may stall or be threatened if Lithuania continues to import electricity from Astrava or if the nuclear power plant expands and production increases. How do you assess the situation, how will it be necessary to maneuver?

– It should have detailed technical, commercial and other information. But I have no doubt that the experts at Litgrid are very good at tracking where that electricity is coming from, and sooner or later it will.

Regarding the project and its international perspective, in this case I am also very satisfied with the experience of working in the ministries. Both the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Transport and Communications had many contacts at the international level with Latvians, Poles and Estonians. Above all I can enjoy the good relations with the Poles, where interests coincide in this place. What the Germans did to the Poles when they synchronized with Western Europe, the Poles will do the same to us now, their intentions are very good, they help us a lot, they are like-minded people. I am very happy that we have to deal with the Poles, because I also believe that my personal contacts will contribute to our common goals.

– D. Kreivys has already said publicly, based on information from Litgrid, that the electricity from Astravas not only flows physically, but Lithuania pays for it, so we are already financing the future development of the Astravas power plant. It is even more interesting that Lithuania actually provides balancing services to Belarus. How can this be avoided?

– It is too early to comment on this issue, you need to see all the material that Litgrid has. But I would not doubt the competence and ability of the Litgrid experts to see the electricity flows in different sections and draw conclusions from them. We have experts, we are consistent in our actions and we will finally solve the Astravas problem, at least as far as Lithuania is concerned.

Later we will see how long it will take and how it will be done, but one way or another it will be resolved and in no way will it stop our synchronization. I trust those experts who work in the energy sector, they know what they are doing, methodically, neatly, calmly, without distractions, and it is good that at the same time they do not wrap things in cotton and say it the way it is.

– The Minister of Transport and Communications Rokas Masiulis was famous for his fight against corruption. I don’t mean to say that as a director of Litgrid he has that goal for himself, but what do you think about it now?

– The fight against corruption has never been confused, but the main work in this position is synchronization, the Astrava theme and preparing for the connection of more renewable energy.

– Regarding renewable energy, by the way, some experts say that if Astravas produces cheap electricity and it flows into our market, then renewable energy is threatened, which can impede its development.

– Such risks exist, they need to be evaluated, but the state has the tools to promote green energy, how to deal with them, and it is important to understand that green energy is also cheap. Its cost is going down and if we trace the wind energy tender a couple of years ago, where electricity was offered at market price, then our green energy is ready to participate in this market, to sell at market price.

In fact, my vision of nuclear power is not cheap. The only thing that can be a special discharge, but it should be understood that someone will eventually pay for it, for free Belarus can also not give electricity. That is what we will do to prevent it from entering, so that other electricity is as cheap as possible in Lithuania, well, and we have an anti-astral law that makes it clear that this electricity cannot be here, sooner or later we will make it reach it.

– What are your current relations with the Minister of Energy Dainius Kreivis?

– Formal, work relationships, we are not personal friends.

– Does Opus Dei keep linking you or not?

– We were filmed at Opus Dei conference together (with D. Kreivis – BNS) “Lietuvos rytas” 12 years ago, since then they have been writing and emphasizing that we are both members of “Opus Dei”, and that is why Kreivys at least already supports me. I’m not a member of Opus Dei, and on my way to church, what is the problem here?

– Did the conservatives offer to participate in the elections and form a government?

– I have been indecisive for a long time to withdraw from politics and that information was known to everyone, so there was no discussion with me about it. Everyone knew he didn’t want to participate, so they didn’t volunteer.

– Thank you for the interview.