Facts

Latvenergo Group is the leading producer of electricity and thermal energy in Latvia.

Latvenergo Group has a balanced and environmentally friendly energy generation portfolio, consisting mostly of hydropower plants and highly efficient combined heat and power plants.

Most of the electricity and thermal energy is generated by the three Daugava hydropower plants (HPPs) and two combined heat and power plants (CHPPs) of Latvenergo AS. Energy is also generated by Liepājas enerģija SIA, Aiviekste HPP and Ainazi Wind Power Plant (WPP).

Latvenergo Group is one of the most environmentally friendly electricity producers in the European Union

Installed electrical capacity at the Group's generation facilities

Energy generated at Latvenergo Group

Share of energy resources in the electricity output

Daugava hydropower plants

The Daugava HPPs are the biggest hydropower plants in the country, providing a large share of renewable energy not only in the Group, but also in Latvia as a whole.

In 2021, the Daugava HPPs generated 2.6 TWh of electricity, which was 4% more than in 2020 and constituted 58% of the Group’s total electricity output.

Installed electrical capacity

1,558 MW

Electricity output

2,636 GWh

In 2021, investments in the Daugava HPPs’ assets amounted to EUR 16.2 million, including EUR 11.7 million invested in the programme for the reconstruction of hydropower units, which will ensure their operation for more than 40 years. The programme provides for the reconstruction of 11 hydropower units that have not been reconstructed yet, of which seven were commissioned by the end of 2021. The total cost of the programme will exceed EUR 260 million. Investments of almost EUR 200 million were already made by the end of 2021.

Replacement of outdated hydro turbines contributes to an increase in their capacity, efficiency rate and electricity output. This promotes reliable, efficient and competitive operations of the Daugava HPPs within the overall energy system and in the electricity market. More efficient use of water resources mitigates the negative impact of the Group on climate change. In the reporting year, each megawatt hour of electricity generated by the Daugava HPPs reduced CO2 emissions by 0.384 tonnes, assuming that this energy would otherwise be generated in condensation mode at combined heat and power plants by using natural gas as fuel.

Investments in the Daugava HPPs


The ability of the Daugava HPPs to generate electricity depends on the water inflow in the Daugava River. During the flooding season, it is possible to cover the demand for electricity of all Latvenergo Group’s customers and trade the excess on the Nord Pool exchange. Outside the season, the Daugava HPPs provide for the possibility to accumulate water and adapt generation of electricity when the demand and prices on the exchange are higher.

Plavinas HPP

Start of operations - 1965
Capacity - 908 MW
Hydropower units - 10
Energy source - water

Plavinas HPP is the largest hydropower plant by installed capacity in the Baltic states and one of the largest in the European Union. It plays an important role in ensuring the stability of the Baltic power system in the event of unplanned outages or accidents at base plants. Plavinas HPP also serves as a synchronous compensator for voltage regulation in high voltage electricity networks.

Riga HPP

Start of operations - 1974
Capacity - 402 MW
Hydropower units - 6
Energy source - water

Riga HPP is the newest of the Daugava hydropower plants. It also serves as a synchronous compensator for voltage regulation in high voltage electricity networks.

Kegums HPP

Start of operations - 1939
Capacity - 248 MW
Hydropower units - 7
Energy source - water

Kegums HPP is the oldest Daugava hydropower plant. It consists of two separate power plants built at different times on the right and left banks of the Daugava River.

The combined heat and power plants of Latvenergo AS


In 2021, the CHPPs generated 1.9 TWh of electricity, which constitutes 41% of the Group’s total electricity output. It is 10% more than in 2020 when the weather was warmer in the heating season and the electricity prices were lower. The amount of thermal energy generated by the CHPPs in 2021 was 1.8 TWh, a 22% increase compared to the previous year. The decrease was influenced by colder weather in the heating season. The thermal energy generated is sold to Rīgas siltums AS at regulated tariffs.

 

Electricity output at CHPPs

1,854  GWh

Thermal energy output at CHPPs

1,800 GWh


The upgraded CHPPs of Latvenergo AS are mostly operated in the highly efficient cogeneration mode in accordance with the thermal energy demand, which in turn depends on weather conditions, the duration of the heating season and competition in the thermal energy market. The operation of these plants can be flexibly adjusted to the electricity market conditions and guarantees a significant baseload electricity capacity for Latvia. Both CHPPs can cover Latvian electricity consumption almost completely in circumstances where, due to certain factors, electricity imports from foreign countries are limited.

In March 2021, the largest heat storage system in the Baltics was commissioned at CHPP-2. The heat storage tank of 17,800 m3 allows to accumulate the thermal energy generated in cogeneration mode and optimise the adjustment of the CHPP operating modes to the changing market conditions and to cover peak loads. In its first incomplete year of operation (from September until December), the system ensured primary energy savings of almost 600 MWh and reduction in CO2 emissions of more than two thousand tonnes. In addition, the CHPP-2 heat storage system will increase the security of heat supply of the Riga district heating system on the right bank of the Daugava.



Creation of a heat storage system at CHPP-2 generating facility

The construction of a heat storage unit in the territory of CHPP-2 of Latvenergo AS has completed becoming the largest and the only heat storage unit in the Baltic countries with the volume of heat


carrier of 18 thousand m 3. An extensive and modern solution will ensure more efficient use of heating fuel in the country, reduce consumption of energy sources and increase competitiveness of CHPPs.

CHPP-1

Start of operations - 1955
Electrical capacity - 158 MW
Thermal capacity - 493 MW
Energy source - natural gas

In 2005, a completely new plant was commissioned in the territory of the CHPP-1 and the old plant was closed down. Two gas turbines, one steam turbine and three water boilers are operated at the CHPP-1.

CHPP-2

Start of operations - 1973
Electrical capacity - 832 MW (in cogeneration mode), 881 MW (in condensation mode)
Thermal capacity - 1,124 MW
Energy source - natural gas

Reconstruction of two power units was carried out from 2006 to 2013. Currently, CHPP-2 is the most efficient and advanced combined-cycle power plant in the Baltics. Two combined-cycle gas turbine units and five water boilers are operated at the plant. In 2021, the largest heat storage system in the Baltics was commissioned at CHPP-2.

Small Plants

Liepaja plants

Founded - 2005
Electrical capacity - 6 MW
Thermal capacity - 180 MW
Energy source - natural gas, woodchips

Latvenergo AS holds a 51% share in Liepājas enerģija SIA. The company ensures generation, transmission, distribution and trade of thermal energy in the city of Liepaja as well as generation of electricity in cogeneration mode. The priority fuel for energy generation is woodchips, which account for 76% of the fuel balance of 2021. In 2021, a new container-type chip boiler house complex was built in Liepāja. The new facilities will provide heat to 55 sites in Karosta. To attract new customers in South Kurzeme, the company has expanded its range of services to include installation and maintenance of individual heating units. In 2021, the Liepaja plants generated 272 GWh of thermal energy and 22 GWh of electricity. Contracts have been concluded for the connection of 19 new objects to district heating networks with a total planned capacity of 3.7 MW.

Ainazi WPP

Start of operations - 1995
Electrical capacity - 1 MW
Energy source - wind

In 2013, full renovation of both generators was completed. In 2021, 1.1 GWh of electricity were generated at Ainazi WPP.

Aiviekste HPP

Fully renovated - 2021
Electrical capacity - 1,5 MW
Energy source - water

Aiviekste HPP was the first hydropower plant in Latvia; it started generating electricity back in 1925. The reconstruction of the hydropower plant was completed in the reporting year, and the plant’s capacity increased from 0.8 MW to 1.5 MW. The connection of Aiviekste HPP to the electricity network was also rebuilt. In 2021, 3.7 GWh of electricity were generated at Aiviekste HPP.