Latvia has taken a major step forward in its renewable energy journey with the official opening of its largest solar energy park in the Vārme parish of the Kuldīga region on November 7, 2024. Developed by the public limited company Latvenergo, this new solar park represents a significant advancement in the nation’s clean energy infrastructure.
Latvia solar energy park Details
The new solar energy park in the Kuldīga region boasts a capacity of 2,000 kilowatts (kW). It features 4,000 solar panels spread across a 3.4-hectare area. The complex solar panel manufacturing process and the sourcing of essential solar panel raw materials are critical to developing installations of this scale.
With an annual electricity production capacity of 1.9 gigawatt-hours (GWh), the park is projected to supply clean electricity to nearly 1,000 households each year. Notably, this is the first project of its kind to be connected directly to the Latvian high-voltage grid, a technical milestone that facilitates more efficient power distribution across the country.
The opening of this solar park is part of Latvenergo’s broader strategy to establish a distributed solar park network across Latvia. This project, implemented in collaboration with the Kuldīga municipality, highlights the vital role of cooperation between local governments and energy companies in driving renewable energy initiatives forward.
Latvia solar energy park Network to Expand
Latvenergo has ambitious plans to expand its solar park network, with several projects either completed or underway. By the end of 2024, the company aims to have a solar park portfolio totaling 17 megawatts (MW) across Latvia. This includes operational parks in Kuldīga (2 MW), Tukuma (3 MW), and Rēzekne (1 MW) regions, as well as in Rucava parish, Liepāja region (1 MW). Additional parks in Cēsu (3 MW) and Ludzas (3 MW) regions are under construction and expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Looking ahead to 2025, Latvenergo plans to further expand its network with new parks slated for construction in the Dobele (2 MW), Jelgava (3 MW), and Sigulda (3 MW) regions. These projects are integral to the company’s strategy to significantly increase its solar energy capacity, contributing to Latvia’s national renewable energy goals.
Future Plans and Investments for the Latvia solar energy park
Latvenergo’s solar park development is a key component of a larger capital expenditure program aimed at bolstering its renewable energy portfolio. Over the next three years, Latvenergo intends to invest 2.4 billion euros in new power plant projects, with a strong focus on wind and solar energy. By 2026, the company aims to operate a total of 600 MW of solar parks and 1,000 MW of wind parks, including both onshore and offshore projects.
This push is part of a wider trend across the nation, with other developers also launching significant projects, such as the impressive 94 MW project in Vārme that further cements the country’s commitment to solar power. The growth of these large-scale farms is supported by an evolving domestic ecosystem, with growing interest in Latvia solar panel manufacturing to build a resilient local supply chain.
The company is also preparing for the construction of offshore wind parks, with plans to build up to 800 MW of capacity in the Baltic Sea by the end of the decade. These initiatives align with Latvenergo’s goal to produce 10% of the electricity consumed in Latvia from solar and wind energy.
Latvenergo’s efforts are crucial for meeting Latvia’s renewable energy targets and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. The new solar park in the Kuldīga region is a significant milestone on this journey, showcasing the immense potential of renewable energy to provide clean and sustainable power to thousands of households.
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