Latvia

Overall assessment

Latvia’s REPowerEU chapter contains a new reform to facilitate the development of renewable energy communitieswhich, however, was already under development.

• Reform 7.1.r. Transforming the national energy sector will be "i) introducing a regulatory framework laying down the conditions and procedures for the registration and operation of energy communities, and supporting vulnerable groups of society; ii) introducing amendments to norms on electricity trade and consumption promoting selfconsumers and owners of micro-generator facilities; iii) laying down conditions for a more optimised use of existing transmission and distribution networks".

Additionally, the reform will "introduce the possibility of using the electricity generated on the facility of one electricity user to cover the consumption needs of another facility of the same user, with the only restriction that the facilities shall be located in the national territory and connected to the national grid; ii) create an obligation for electricity traders to offer at least one product for the purchase of electricity from self-consumers operating a micro-generator facility; and iii) introduce the condition that energy sharing be possible beyond the multi-apartment building without the need to create an energy community."

Latvia also intends to invest in renewables by improving the electricity grid and building port infrastructure for the development of offshore wind turbines. There is also funding earmarked for developing biomethane infrastructures, which poses questions as this can lead to increased biogas production based on animal farm waste, when investing in heating electrification could have been prioritised.

The consultation process was formal, the government was not willing to discuss with CSO before having a first draft, and there was little time for consultation.