Lithuania has the biggest installed capacity of wind energy in the Baltic States, according to Toms Naburgs, managing director of the Latvian Wind Energy Association (LVEA), LSM reports. Lithuania has 1,400 MW of installed wind turbines, compared to 400 MW in Estonia and just 140 MW in Latvia. Moreover, Lithuania is building and planning even…
Slowing inflation and strong wage growth in Estonia have increased people’s purchasing power, according to the Bank of Estonia, BNS reports. In June 2024, the consumer price index rose by only 2.5% on year, which was the slowest rate in three years, primarily due to falling energy prices. At the same time, most services have…
Estonia’s transmission system operator, Elering, plans to replace the damaged EstLink 2 undersea power cable by the end of August 2024, ERR reports. Preparatory work is ongoing, with the reserve cable sourced from Sweden. The power cable, which links Estonia and Finland, failed unexpectedly in January 2024. The fault was located at a complex point…
The planned synchronisation of the Baltic electricity grids with Western Europe in February 2025 will slightly increase electricity prices for consumers, according to Lithuanian Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys, BNS reports. The impact on prices will be minimal, around a few percent, he said. Lithuanian power grid operator Litgrid estimates that the synchronisation will cost consumers…
Latvia’s gross energy consumption totalled 185 PJ in 2023, which was 1 % less than in 2022, according to provisional data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSP), LSM reports. Final energy consumption totalled 170 PJ, which was 0.9 % less than in 2022. Transport used 52 PJ (30.6%) of energy, followed by households with 45 PJ…
The Latvian government has approved a draft transport energy bill that obliges fuel suppliers to increase the share of renewable energy in their energy portfolio, LETA reports. The bill may lead to a rise in fuel prices, according to a survey of fuel traders. The Ministry of Climate and Energy notes that the transport sector…
The prime ministers of the three Baltic States will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on 6 May 2024 in the Latvian capital, Riga, LETA reports. The meeting will focus on security and defence, EU affairs, support for Ukraine, economic cooperation, and regional energy and transport projects. According to Latvia’s State Chancellery, Baltic leaders have…
Estonian biomaterials company Fibenol plans to invest EUR 600-700mn in a biorefinery in Latvia, ERR reports. Fibenol’s pretreatment technology will convert locally-sourced wood into biomaterials that can replace fossil fuel-based chemicals in various industries. The company had initially intended to build the plant in Estonia. Fibenol’s owner, Raul Kirjanen, noted that countries rich in wood…
The US ambassador to Latvia, Christopher Robinson, expressed concern about the potential for backsliding in Latvia’s fight against corruption, Baltic News Network reported. Speaking in an interview with TVNET, Robinson specifically highlighted Aivars Lembergs, the sanctioned former mayor of Ventspils, as a symbol of the dangers of returning to oligarchic influence. He said that the…
