Central Statistical Bureau data published on September 6 show that 6 388 GWh of electricity were generated in Latvia in 2023 (+27% than in 2022), 4 963 GWh from renewables. The amount of electricity produced from the latter has increased by 30.0 % (1 146 GWh), with wind- and solar power plants generating 92.5 % more electricity.

The amount of electricity generated by solar power plants increased significantly, reaching 239 GWh in 2023. This is more than three times, or 164 GWh, the amount generated in 2022. Wind power plants generated 271 GWh of electricity (42.6% or 81 GWh more than in 2022). However, due to high water inflow and a prolonged flood season, hydropower plants generated 3 794 GWh of electricity (38.0% or 1 044 GWh more).

Combined heat and power (CHP) plants generated 2 083 GWh of electricity (+8.2%), of which 31.6 % was from renewables (in biogas and biomass CHP plants). Compared to the year before, the amount of electricity generated by biogas CHP plants fell from 250 GWh to 182 GWh (-27.2%), and of that generated by biomass power plants and CHP plants from 552 GWh to 477 GWh (-13.6 %) than in 2022. Over the five years from 2019 to 2023, it has grown by 9.8 % (7.4 PJ).

Gross consumption of fuelwood increased by 1.8 % (1.1 PJ) over the five years and reached 63.0 PJ in 2023. In 2023, fuelwood comprised 76.2 % of the gross consumption (80.0% in 2022), electricity 18.8%, biofuel 0.7 % (-0.3%), and biogas and other energy 2.2% and 2.1%, respectively.

As the gross consumption of renewables is increasing, Latvia is getting closer to the strategic goal of the renewable energy sector – reaching 50.0 % of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption until 2030. In terms of the highest share of renewables in the final energy consumption, Latvia ranks third in the EU.

At the same time, European Energy, a global leader in renewable energy development, is ready to start construction of its first solar park in Latvia. This project, spanning 138 hectares in Tārgale, Ventspils county, will boast a substantial capacity of 148 MW, making it one of the largest solar parks in the country.

With an investment of 80 million euros, the solar park is anticipated to generate approximately 154,550 MWh of clean electricity annually, sufficient to power roughly 60,000 households. According to Latvia’s National Energy and Climate Plan, the share of renewable energy sources in electricity generation is expected to increase significantly from 53% to 80% by 2030.