Andris Vanags, Head of the Latvian Wind Energy Association, says: “We are pleased to join the leading European wind organization, which represents the interests of industry, makes a serious contribution to the field of public education and the development of wind energy in general. This is especially important now, when overcoming the consequences of the crisis, the development of wind energy will ensure Latvia’s economic growth and the achievement of climate goals ”.
“We are pleased to admit the Latvian Wind Energy Association to the WindEurope membership. Latvia has great ambitions in the field of renewable energy production, committing to produce at least 50% of electricity from renewable resources by 2030. Wind will also make a significant contribution, increasing production capacity from 66 MW to 800 MW in ten years. It will also allow Latvians to reap the employment and social benefits of wind power generation: the sector currently employs 300,000 people across Europe and invests an average of € 25 billion a year, ”says Giles Dickson, WindEurope CEO. .
Diksons also notes the importance of state policy in the development of renewable energy: “We hope to work closely with the Latvian Wind Energy Association and the Minister of Economics of the Republic of Latvia Jānis Vitenbergs, working on a policy that would promote the full use of wind energy potential.”
Latvia currently has the third smallest installed wind energy capacity in the European Union (66 MW), ahead of only Slovenia and Slovakia. In Lithuania, wind energy capacity is eight times higher than in Latvia (548 MW), but in Estonia – almost five times higher (320 MW). * It should be reminded that the National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030. It is planned to install 800 MW of wind energy capacity in Latvia by. In Europe, the total wind power capacity reached 205 GW last year. In 2019, new wind farms with a capacity of 15.4 GW were established in Europe (13.2 GW in the European Union).
“In order to achieve the set goals, a lot of work needs to be done in Latvia in the next decade. The political will and the breaking of myths in society are important for this. While we avoid the unknown and fear, wind has long been a full-fledged source of energy across Europe, providing 15% of all electricity consumed. And it is important to get rid of the ghosts of the past – wind is a renewable energy that can competitively enter the market, ”emphasizes A. Vanags.
The Wind Energy Association has been operating since 2006, and its goal is to promote the use of wind energy in Latvia by participating in the regulation of the industry and the environment, as well as to promote public awareness and understanding of renewable energy sources, especially wind energy.
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