Energy building system Latvia

What is Latvia's energy demand?

Latvia’s energy demand is dominated by an ageing building stock, which accounts for nearly half of total final consumption, with residential buildings alone accounting for a third of total consumption.

Can Latvia achieve energy savings by renovating its building stock?

Latvia could achieve considerable energy savings by renovating its building stock. Latvia holds considerable potential to accelerate energy efficiency outcomes in the buildings sector, which will go a long way toward meeting climate targets and lowering energy bills.

Will electricity be the cornerstone of Latvia's energy transition?

Electricity will be the cornerstone of Latvia’s energy transition. Latvia’s hydro-dominated electricity system provides a favourable starting point to use clean electricity to decarbonise other economic sectors and meet the target of 57% renewables in total final consumption by 2030.

How can wind and solar power projects help Latvia?

Bringing wind and solar power projects online will also help reduce Latvia’s dependence on natural gas imports and can contribute to lower electricity prices; current efforts to develop offshore wind will support this outcome.

How has Latvia managed to unlink its energy dependency from Russia?

Overall, Latvia has made considerable progress in unlinking its energy dependency from Russian imports in a short period of time, including by imposing bans on the import of electricity and natural gas from Russia in 2023. The government is also changing its storage model for oil reserves to further fortify its oil security.

Does Latvia need more decarbonisation?

The electricity sector is dominated by renewables, but more decarbonisation is needed in other sectors. Latvia has already made inroads on the share of renewable energy in its fuel mix, with sizeable shares of bioenergy and hydropower.