Lithuania Urges Switch from Gas Cylinders in Apartments with State Support

Lithuania is urging residents in multi-story buildings to abandon potentially dangerous gas cylinders, highlighting a state-funded program designed to facilitate a transition to safer energy alternatives. Despite the availability of support, a significant number of buildings, around 18% of the 2,000 surveyed, continue to use gas cylinders.

Karolis Januševičius, a member of the State Energy Regulatory Council (VERT), emphasized the inherent safety risks associated with gas cylinders in apartment blocks. He encouraged residents to utilize the state's financial assistance, which makes switching to electricity or centralized natural gas more accessible and secure. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy, aims to enhance resident safety by promoting more reliable energy sources.

The support is available for residents in buildings taller than two stories, or two-story buildings with living spaces in the attic, who use gas cylinders for cooking. The state offers up to 726 euros per apartment. This includes funding for internal network installations or modifications in common areas (up to 242 euros), apartment-level electrical or gas system upgrades (up to 242 euros), and the purchase of an electric or gas stove (up to 242 euros).

To access this support, residents must first reach a unanimous decision within their building to adopt an alternative energy source. An authorized representative, such as a community manager or administrator, must then submit applications for compensation. Applications are being accepted through the APVIS system until June 27, 2026, with payment requests and supporting documents due by November 16, 2026. While some regions are actively participating, cities like Vilnius and Panevėžys, along with several districts, show particularly low engagement with the program.

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Each gas cylinder used in an apartment building remains a potential threat to the safety of the resident and their neighbors. State support provides residents with an opportunity to switch to other alternatives – electricity or centrally supplied natural gas – more safely and financially favorably. We invite residents to actively use this opportunity.