The second Green4HEAT regional working group took place in Salaspils, where representatives of local governments, experts of heat supply companies and energy specialists discussed the development of energy communities in Latvia. The event took place within the framework of the Interreg Europe programme project Green4HEAT, which aims to accelerate the deployment of low-temperature heating solutions by promoting cooperation and knowledge sharing between regions.
In Latvia, energy independence and sustainable solutions are becoming more and more relevant, and one of the ways to reduce the costs of energy resources and promote the use of renewable energy resources is energy communities. These are organizations in which citizens, municipalities and enterprises cooperate in the production and consumption of energy, based on the principles of self-consumption and local energy development.
Ilvija Ašmane, a representative of the Latvian Rural Forum, said:
“Energy communities are an opportunity for citizens to become not only energy consumers, but also its producers and managers. This means greater control over costs and energy supplies, especially in regions where district heating is not available or expensive.”
She added that in Germany, energy communities are often established as cooperatives where citizens can not only buy green energy but also become co-owners of solar and wind farms. Similar examples can be seen in the Netherlands, where biomass heating plants are set up by bringing together local people and businesses.
Regulatory developments and practical challenges
Although the principle of energy communities is simple – to produce and use energy jointly – their implementation requires clear regulation and financial support. Over the past year, significant steps have been taken in Latvia to provide a legal basis for the development of energy communities.
Gunārs Valdmanis, a representative of the Ministry of Climate and Energy, emphasized that Cabinet of Ministers regulation No. 808 adopted on December 10, 2024 determines the conditions for the registration and operation of energy communities, as well as mechanisms for sharing electricity.
“Legislation has become more flexible, and energy communities can operate in a wider area than in other European countries, but the main challenge remains people’s awareness and ability to agree,” Valdmanis pointed out.
More potential for electricity energy communities
The working group concluded that electricity energy communities in Latvia have a higher development potential than thermal energy communities. This is mainly due to the wide availability of electricity transmission infrastructure, which allows you to immediately start the creation of energy communities without investing in large infrastructure development projects.
Edgars Augustiņš, energy expert, pointed out:
“Electricity sharing mechanisms are relatively simple and efficient, while thermal energy communities require significant infrastructure improvements and high upfront costs.”
The possibility for citizens to participate in energy communities as investors, not just as energy producers, was also discussed. In Germany and Denmark, models are successfully operating in which members of energy communities can not only consume the electricity produced, but also invest in community infrastructure, ensuring a stable and renewable energy supply.
District heating is already well developed in Latvia, therefore thermal energy communities may not be as relevant as electricity communities. However, in certain areas where district heating networks do not exist, thermal energy communities can become an alternative.
Conclusions: how to promote the development of energy communities in Latvia?
- Support and involvement of local governments – Local governments should play an active role in the development of energy communities, providing legal and organizational support, helping to attract investments and coordinate the interest of residents.
- Access to finance – Without the support of national and EU funds, it will be difficult for energy communities to develop. There is a need for specific support instruments to help cover initial investments.
- Public awareness – In order for citizens to benefit from energy communities, more communication and educational activities are needed. Stories of good practice from Latvia and abroad can serve as an incentive for the formation of other communities.
- Adaptation of technological solutions – In order for energy communities to be economically viable, it is necessary to use modern technologies – solar panels, heat pumps, energy storage solutions.
- Flexible legal mechanisms – Thanks to the adoption of Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 808, Latvia now has a clear regulatory framework for the development of energy communities.
“Salaspils Siltums” experience and future opportunities
Salaspils already operates one of the most modern heat supply companies in Latvia – “Salaspils Siltums”, which is actively implementing innovative solutions and using solar energy to provide heat supply.
In its activities, the company uses a field of solar collectors with 1720 panels, capable of producing up to 20,000 MWh of thermal energy per year. “Salaspils Siltums” has also introduced low-temperature heating networks and heat pump solutions that improve system efficiency and help reduce CO₂ emissions.
“We see that there is huge potential for the development of district heating, especially in newly built areas. Sustainable solutions, such as combinations of heat pumps and solar collectors, allow for stable and cost-predictable heat supply,” said Roberts Kaķis, a company spokesman.
At the end of the working group, the participants had the opportunity to visit the “Salaspils Siltums” boiler house and solar collector park, getting acquainted with the modernization projects implemented by the company.
The Green4HEAT project is closely related to the long-term strategic documents of the Vidzeme Planning Region. The Sustainable Development Strategy of the Vidzeme Planning Region until 2030 and the Development Programme until 2027 highlight the region’s priorities towards a low-carbon economy, efficient use of energy resources and introduction of environmentally friendly technologies. These planning documents place particular emphasis on the need to promote energy efficiency solutions that would help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and integrate renewable energy sources.
During the project, recommendations will be prepared for municipalities and heating companies, providing guidelines on how to promote the introduction of sustainable heating systems in the region. This will create impulses not only for technological changes, but also for a change in attitudes in society, creating a greater demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable heating systems.
