Latvia’s Minister of Economics Jānis Vitenbergs welcomed the development of of the Daugava Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) as an indispensable production facility for the state.
According to Latvenergo, the country’s power utility company, its reconstructed cogeneration plant together with the Daugava HPP play an important role in ensuring Latvia’s power independence. For instance, in 2017 the HPP and the cogeneration plant covered 79 per cent of the electricity demand in the country.
Last year, 33 per cent of total electricity produced by Latvenergo Group was generated by using renewable energy sources (RES), reads a company’s statement.
“It is important to be aware of the important role of Latvenergo Group in the energy sector,” said Minister Vitenbergs. “The assets managed by Latvenergo have historically formed the backbone of the Latvian energy system, the rational maintenance and development of which is the basis for a sustainable future energy system.”
In particular, he noted how the modernisation of the Daugava HPP is a step towards achieving Latvia’s energy targets, which will strengthen Latvenergo’s competitiveness in the electricity market, as well as the whole country’s position among the EU Member States with significant production of RES.
Currently, Latvia is the fourth EU country producing electricity from RES, after Denmark, Sweden and Austria.
Āris Žīgurs, Chairman of the Board of Latvenergo, also pointed out how more efficient use of water resources will also reduce the Group’s impact on the environment.
In 2019, 21.4 million euros were invested in the Daugava HPP. Latvenergo’s plans include the reconstruction of 11 hydro units, five of which have been put into operation at the end of last year. Furthermore, replacing obsolete hydro turbines increases their capacity, efficiency and electricity generation, while promoting safe, efficient and competitive operations.
