Brussels gives favourable opinion on Lithuania's nuclear power plant project

"The Commission's opinion on the Visaginas nuclear power plant project is favorable. The Commission has thus opened the door for Lithuania's strategic project that would help ensure the country's energy independence and the Baltic states' integration in the European energy market," he said in a press release.

Šemeta said that the Commission's opinion has been sent to the Lithuanian government.

Lithuanian Energy Minister Arvydas Sekmokas earlier this month said the Commission's opinion on the Visaginas project was "very important and substantial."

The minister said in late April that a positive conclusion from the EU's executive body would help bring down the cost of multi-billion loans needed for the project.

Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has said that the borrowing costs will also depend on the country's rating.

The planned new nuclear power facility in Visaginas, in northeastern Lithuania, is estimated to cost around 17 billion litas (EUR 5 billion), of which 50 to 70 percent would have to be borrowed.