The largest heating network renewal works in history begin in Vilnius (map) – MadeinVilnius.lt

The heat and hot water supplier AB Vilniaus šilumos tinklai (VŠT), which manages the longest heat supply network in Lithuania, has started the largest pipeline renewal works in history. More than 8 km of pipelines that transport heat to customers’ homes will be replaced in various parts of the capital before the start of the heating season. Inconveniences are possible during the works, so residents’ patience and understanding are requested.

Centrally supplied heat reaches customers’ homes through an underground network of pipelines, which currently stretches for 760 km in Vilnius. A third of this network is worn out and, like the rest of the city’s infrastructure, needs updating.

“A reliable and efficient heat supply network is one of our strategic goals, which is why we consistently invest in its renewal every year. At the end of the heating season, we perform thorough diagnostics on all sections of the network and assess where the network is most worn. We start work first where it is most needed. This year, we will invest almost 12 million in network renewal. euros”, says VŠT Infrastructure team leader Andrius Agintas.

The reconstruction works will cover the territories of Old Town, New Town, Šnipiškii, Karoliniškii wards. In the latter areas, the pipelines were built half a decade or more ago, so during this time their reliability has decreased, there are greater heat losses to the environment, and a higher risk of failures.

“The pipelines of the new generation have better thermal insulation, which is why they are more efficient, require less maintenance, and have failure control systems that allow easier identification of pipe damage or defects that have occurred. After renewing the pipelines, we will be sure that the services we provide will reach our customers reliably and without problems”, says A. Agintas.

According to the company, the works being performed are complex, they will also have to work in the basements of houses, in cultural heritage areas, so the cooperation of residents and businesses is extremely important. During the works, traffic restrictions, reduction of parking spaces in yards, temporary hot water disconnections are possible.

“Temporary inconveniences are inevitable during the renovation of any infrastructure, so a constructive dialogue with residents is extremely important to us. For this reason, we have already held four meetings with the residents, to whom we explained the works in detail. We are glad that the citizens of Vilnius are active and understand the necessity of updating the infrastructure of important services, and get involved in processes that are important to everyone,” says Rūta Jasiulionienė, head of the VŠT Client Team.

According to the representative of the company, great attention is paid not only to the reduction of inconveniences, but also to the protection of trees growing in the protection zones of heat supply lines.

“Last year, we saved as many as 170 trees. This year, together with the companies performing the work, we are doing everything to ensure that the trees continue to grow where possible, so we intend to save at least 280 trees,” says R. Jasiulionienė.