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Latvia  

Country Profile

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Latest Developments
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Projects
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Policy/Regulatory 

 

 

Latvia's accession to the EU has been a direct result of its friendly investment climate and economic success.  Latvia passed a Law on Energy in 1998 that requires utilities to purchase power from renewable energy providers at set prices.  In 2003 a new tariff system was created which sets different prices among resources.  This and other laws pertaining to cogeneration and solid waste disposal have been passed to enable Latvia’s accession to the EU. 

 

The wind energy potential of Latvia is extremely good with over 500 MW being technically feasible, mostly on the coastal regions of the Baltic Sea.  Over 20 MW of wind energy capacity is already installed.   Hydropower is already prevalent, accounting for 74 percent of total generating capacity; however, new small hydro projects are limited.  Biomass projects are attractive due to limited reserves of fossil fuel, and considerable wood and agricultural wastes.  The primary barrier to biomass projects is the high capital cost. 

 

Renewable energy projects are attractive in Latvia due to already existing high electricity rates and strong legislative incentives.

 

 

Country Profile and Notes

 

More information is provided in the country profile notes, including specific resource and energy sector information:

 

View 2009 Country Profile

View 2005 Country Profile (309 kB pdf)

View 2002 Country Notes (318 kB pdf)

 

 

Latest Developments


TitleSummarypubDate
Ukrainian Company Offers Biogas to Electricity for Alcohol PlantsNew waste-management technology has been developed by Ukrainian construction company ZORG Ukraine, designed specifically for plants that produce alcohol. Unique technological upgrade allows the plant to recycle production-wastes, manufacture high-quality fertilizer and biogas, that’s instantly converted into thermal or electrical power. “Biogas plants can cut-down production expenses within the alcohol-production industry sector to a considerable degree,” – commented company’s executive director Igor Aksiutov.
 
29-Dec-09
Latvian Municipal Solid Waste Facility Offered - Biogas Options Outlined
LatgaleMSW facility is offered for sale.  Various operating and financing options are presented.
25-Nov-09
Story - Renewable Energy Production in Lativia
Several types of renewable energy are discussed in cluding potential production and policy.
22-Oct-09
Ukrainian Biofuel Portal Covers Pellets, Solid and Liquid Fuels

Ukrainian Biofuel Portal is a specialized online resource on biomass and biofuel that is aimed to assist the companies in expanding their business, finding reliable suppliers and buyers.

21-Oct-09
BiG>East Biogas Mobilization Campaign
20 October, 2009, Athens, Greece
12-Sep-09
New Study Explores Wind Potential for Central and Eastern Europe
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/3583e3/central_and_easter) has announced the addition of Frost & Sullivan's new report "Central and Eastern European Wind Power Markets" to their offering.
The following study covers the development and dynamics of the wind energy industry in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Political will and administrative procedures are dramatically changing as the need for energy security, and the ambitious European Union renewable energy targets drive the wind energy market in the CEE region. Nevertheless, sluggish policy developments, effects of the global financial crisis, in addition to supply bottlenecks and grid connection problems slow down the momentum, thereby exposing the markets largest shortfalls, and highest potential. Wind energy boasts of increased attention in the region also due to looming power crises forecasted in many largest CEE countries, such as Turkey and Poland.
25-Jun-09
Baltic Interconnection Plan For Renewables
Eight Baltic Sea states have launched an action plan to connect Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to EU energy networks, a strategy that should boost opportunities for renewable energy development.
 
25-Jun-09
Report From Moscow Energy Trade FairEven though the effects of the global financial and economic crisis have affected the Russian construction industry significantly, interest in innovative building and energy technology was unabated at SHK MOSCOW 2009, 13th International Industrial and Technology Trade Fair for Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, Refrigeration, Building Automation, Sanitation and Renewable Energies. A total of 11,300 trade visitors from the CIS and neighboring countries attended Russia’s leading event for this industry and 200 exhibitors from 19 countries showcased their products on 107,600 square feet of exhibit space.
21-May-09
New Latvian Biodiesel Plant in Operation
Bio-Venta Ltd., an €85 million, 30 MMgy biodiesel plant in Ventspils, Latvia, began production in late January.
09-Mar-09
EBRD, Energy Community to Host Regional Energy Forum in Sarajevo
“Investing in electricity generation and renewable energy” 30-31 March 2009, Holiday Inn Hotel, Sarajevo
The EBRD and the Energy Community will host a Regional Energy Forum in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, on Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 March 2009, which will focus on investment opportunities in electricity generation and renewable energy.
23-Feb-09
Latvian Biodiesel Production Increased Threefold in 2008AD
→OÜ Metall Market is the source of breaking news, prices and expert market commentary on the global scrap metal markets.
In 2008, 28,340 tons of biodiesel was produced in Latvia, which is a threefold increase on 2007 when 9,000 tons of biodiesel was produced, according to the State Revenue Service's (SRS) data.
19-Feb-09
Latvia and Belarus Plan Cooperation on Energy
Representatives of Latvia and Belarus plan to sign agreements to cooperate on energy matters including possible renewable energy power plants.
17-Feb-09
Report From Biofuel Conference Held in Bulgaria
In the second of a series of workshops for biofuel end-users, the Biofuel Cities European Partnership brought together 35 stakeholders from Central and Eastern Europe in Sofia, Bulgaria in December 2007. On the agenda was a discussion of  biofuels for transport and a reflection on the challenges facing biofuel end-users in the region, such as overly bureaucratic procedures, lack of institutional support and security of feedstock supply.
27-Dec-07
Program Encourages Renewable Energy and Entrepreneurship
The European Commission's Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) was presented Wednesday in Skopje.
Macedonian Economy Minister Vera Rafajlovska and the EU Ambassador Erwan Fouere made introductory address at today's presentation of the CIP. The programme will run from 2007 to 2013.
19-Dec-07
Eesti Energia To Establish New Wind Park in the Baltic States
Dutch utility Eesti Energia has announced that it has acquired the Aulepa wind park development with the aim of building the largest wind park in the Baltic States. The move is part of its long-term strategy of decreasing carbon dioxide emissions.  
14-Nov-07

(Items 1 to 15)Next

 Projects
Project TitleTechnologyCapacity MWStatusSponsor
Liepaja, Latvia Wind Zone IIWind2
construction
Plavinas (Latvia) hydro spillwayHydroelectric
planned
DynaMotive BioOilBiofuels200 tons per day oil
Planned
Rika
Struzani PeatBiomass2.5
Operating
AivieksteHydroelectric1.215
Operating
AngiriuHydroelectric1.24
Operating
AnneniekuHydroelectric0.045
Operating
BraslaHydroelectric0.4
Operating
BrenguliHydroelectric0.13
Operating
BrutuliHydroelectric0.05
Operating
JoudkiskiuHydroelectric0.415
Operating
KegumsHydroelectric260
Operating
PakuleHydroelectric0.4
Operating
PakuluHydroelectric0.36
Operating
PlavinasHydroelectric850
Operating

(Items 1 to 15)Next

 Policy/Regulatory
Policy NameTechnologySponsor
Tax Policy on wood as boiler fuelDirect-Fired BiomassLibertas.lv
Latvian Farmers Want Biogas Policy ChangesBiogasBiogas Association of Latvia
Legislative DatabaseAll RenewablesGerman Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)

 


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