This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 2/28/2019

Overview

Due to substantial hydro-electric capacity, Latvia already has one of the most "green" supplies of energy in the world, with green sources of energy making up about 38 percent of total energy consumption.  However, the European Union is actively working to reduce the effects of climate change and to establish a common energy policy.  The current EU policy dictates that Latvia must increase the share of renewable energy in its final energy consumption to reach 40 percent by 2020.
 
Much of Latvia's heat and electricity comes from imported natural gas.  The Latvian government is interested in diversifying supplies and in developing more local resources to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign sources of energy.
 
To reach these targets, government agencies and entrepreneurs have discussed options to move beyond hydropower and into wind and biomass power plants.  Many stretches of the Baltic coast have wind conditions suitable for wind parks, especially off-shore.  Over half of Latvia is covered by forest, so wood biomass presents excellent potential for further development.  In addition to renewable energy projects, Latvia remains notionally interested in pursuing a possible liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal to enhance its supply source diversity.
Leading Sub-Sectors
The best prospects for U.S. exports in the renewable energy sector include energy-efficiency solutions and equipment, combined heat and power turnkey plants, biomass gasification technology, wind parks, small-scale hydropower equipment and technology, and related technology.

Opportunities

Please see the Supplement to the Official Journal of the European Union dedicated to European public procurement.
Latvian Export and Import Directory
The most promising sectors for renewable energy equipment in Latvia are energy efficiency solutions, biomass power, wind energy, and energy produced in combined heat and power plants.
 
While the Latvian government provided support in the past for the production of energy from renewable energy resources (wind, biomass, etc.), the government has suspended the existing support mechanism for renewables and is currently developing a new support plan.  Given Latvia’s recent efforts to liberalize its gas market, LNG and gas infrastructure technology and services could be in greater demand.

Web Resources

Ministry of Economy, Energy Department
Latvian Investment and Development Agency  
Investment and Development Agency of Latvia - Environment and Renewable Energy Industry
Public Utilities Commission
Housing and Energy Conservation Bureau
Latvian Green Technology Cluster
Skulte LNG terminal project

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.