Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan GRIP 2014–2023 |
23
0
40
20
60
80
100
%
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
31
30
30
30
28
28
28
31
29
28
Electricity
Firewood
Natural gas
Petroleum products
Other
Peat
Coal and coke
Figure 2.9:
Consumption of primary energy resources in Latvia
2.4 Latvia
PLAYERS
At present, AS Latvijas Gāze is the only player in the natural gas market in Latvia.
According to the share purchase agreement, which was signed with the strategic
investors, AS Latvijas Gāze has exclusive rights on transmission, storage, distri-
bution until year 2017 and license for sale of natural gas, as well as unlimited and
exclusive right to use Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage (UGS) for the same
period. AS Latvijas Gāze carries out transmission, distribution, storage and sale of
natural gas in compliance with the licences issued by the Public Utilities Commis-
sion.
On 3 December 2009, the Saeima (Latvian Parliament) adopted a decision to
postpone liberalisation of the natural gas market in Latvia until 4 April 2014. On
13 March 2014 Saeima approved amendments to the Energy Law providing for
introduction of Third Party Access (TPA) in Latvia from 4 April 2014 and unbundling
of AS Latvijas Gāze as of 3 April 2017 or earlier, in case the condtions of one major
gas supplier and no connection to the common EU gas grid will not be fulfilled.
Regardless of derogation from the gas market liberalization as isolated market,
AS Latvijas Gāze is providing non-discriminatory access to the gas transmission and
storage based on technical capabilities and separate accounts for gas transmission,
storage, distribution and sales as well as non-discriminatory and undisturbed access
to the gas distribution networks as set by the Public Utility Commission Rules of
16 July 2008.
ENERGY MIX
In 2012, the total consumption of primary energy
resources in Latvia amounted to 50.8 TWh. Natural
gas was the main resource for generating of heat ener-
gy and electric energy. Total consumption of natural
gas reached 14.1TWh, which corresponds to 28% of
the total primary energy consumption. In total con-
sumption of primary energy sources, firewood with its
total consumption forming 12.9 TWh was the most
widely used local energy resource, electricity generat-
ed in hydropower stations and wind power stations
constituted 3.8TWh.
