On 6 February, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with Minister for Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis at the Riga Castle. The discussion focused on the synchronisation of the Baltic electricity transmission system with European electricity grids, as well as ongoing efforts to develop Latvia’s long-term energy strategy.
The President of Latvia acknowledged the progress made in preparing for the accelerated disconnection from the Russian and Belarusian electricity grids, emphasising the importance of ensuring that all stakeholders are fully prepared to respond swiftly to potential risks. “Latvia, alongside the other Baltic states, has made significant progress in preparing for synchronisation with European power grids. This will be a crucial step in strengthening our energy security. At the same time, we must remain fully aware of the potential risks both before and after disconnection. I am therefore calling on the Ministry of Climate and Energy, as the responsible institution, along with all involved parties, to be prepared for various scenarios to ensure that necessary support can be provided to our residents as swiftly as possible,” said President Rinkēvičs.
The meeting also addressed ongoing work on Latvia’s energy strategy up to 2050. The initial draft was presented at the Riga Castle on 23 October last year, and a follow-up review of the strategy is scheduled for March. E. Rinkēvičs reiterated that the primary goal of the strategy must be to ensure a competitive energy resource price in the region.
