The volume of electricity generated in Latvia totalled 4,997 GWh in 2022, which was 14.5% less than in 2021, according to the Central Statistical Bureau, LSM reports. Renewable energy sources accounted for 3,783 GWh of the total volume, which was up 1.7% from a year earlier. Hydro power plants generated 2,750 GWh (up 1.6%) and…
Sorting biodegradable waste will be mandatory in Latvia as of 1 January 2024, LSM reports. Currently, only around 25% of Latvian households sort their waste, according to a Norstat survey for waste management company Getlini EKO. The company has opened a website that allows residents to request that biowaste containers be placed at their address….
Latvia’s prime minister-designate, Evika Silina, expects the parliament, the Saeima, to approve her new coalition government on 15 September 2023, LSM reports. Besides the post of prime minister, Silina’s New Unity party is likely to head the ministries of finance, economy, foreign affairs, interior affairs, justice, education, and energy. The Union of Greens and Farmers…
The foreign ministers of the eight Nordic and Baltic countries (NB8) are meeting in the Latvian capital, Riga, on 6-7 September 2023, LSM reports. The ministers will discuss regional and energy security, hybrid threats, support for Ukraine, and cooperation in international organisations. Latvia coordinates NB8 cooperation in 2023. Latvia’s focus is on strengthening the rules-based…
Latvia’s Office for Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) has denied residency to around 80 Russian citizens following an assessment by the State Security Service (VDD), LSM reports. PMLP has referred over 13,000 residence permit applications to VDD for review. VDD has so far completed its assessment on around 7,000 of the applicants. Under amendments to…
Exports of goods from Latvia to countries that continue to trade with Russia have increased rapidly, LSM reports. At the same time as exports to Russia have come to a halt due to sanctions, exports to countries of the Eurasian Economic Union have risen sharply. Exports of mechanical and electrical equipment to Russia have fallen…
Turkish-owned Liepaja Steel has abandoned plans to resume production at its steel plant in the Latvian city of Liepaja, LETA reports. The company will dismantle the plant’s steel melting furnace and move the machinery to Türkiye. Liepaja Steel failed to reach agreement with the Liepaja city council and the Liepaja Special Economic Zone (Liepajas SEZ)…
Latvia’s state-owned energy holding, Latvenergo, posted all-time record revenue and profit in the first half of 2023, LSM reports. The group’s six-month turnover amounted to over EUR 1.1bn, which was up 56% from the same period of 2022. The group’s profit rose by 57% to EUR 222.5mn. Latvenergo attributed the record performance to the spring…
Around 4,500 Russian citizens may be asked to leave Latvia as they have failed to renew their residence permits, LSM reports. The permanent residence permits of altogether 25,300 Russian nationals living in Latvia expired on 1 September 2023. About 19,000 of the Russians have applied or plan to apply for renewal, and a little over…