On 28 January 2020, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the National Energy and Climate Plan 2030 (NECP-2030), which will be the main document for the formulation of long-term energy and climate policy. Once approved by the government, the Ministry of Economics will submit NECP 2030 to the European Commission.
Ralfs Nemiro, the Minister of Economics: “Given the growing impact of climate change on the environment and economic processes, we as a society will increasingly have to face the challenges of climate change. The implementation of the measures included in NECP 2030 will strengthen the competitiveness of our businesses, enable the development of new business ideas and services, raise capital for the development and production of innovative technologies, and strengthen our exports of goods and services. This will create additional jobs in energy efficiency and renewable energy areas”.
The National Energy and Climate Plan 2030 aims to promote the long-term development of a climate neutral and internationally competitive economy of our country. Reaching NECP 2030 targets will open up the possibility for Latvia’s faster economic growth, but we need to achieve these objectives in the most sustainable and cost-effective way possible; reduce energy dependency on third countries; and eliminate risks of energy poverty and contribute to the wellbeing of our population in general.
NECP 2030 long-term targets aim to reduce GHG emissions by 6% compared to levels of 2005, to increase the share of renewable energy sources in total final energy consumption to 50% (currently 40%), while promoting the implementation of energy efficiency measures is expected to reduce primary energy consumption to 45.8 – 47.2 TWh (currently 62.5 TWh). Among other things, NECP 2030 also sets a long-term target for electricity interconnection levels of not less than 60% compared to 2017 (currently 50%).
In order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to promote efficient use of resources and their self-sufficiency and diversity; to ensure a gradual reduction in the consumption of resources, in particular fossil and unsustainable, and a simultaneous transition to the use of sustainable, renewable and innovative resources; to stimulate the development of such research and innovation that contributes to the development of the sustainable energy sector and mitigation of climate change.
NEC 2030 includes around 100 different policy measures in 12 action lines:
Improving energy efficiency of buildings; Improving energy efficiency and promoting the use of RES technologies in heating, cooling and industry; Promoting the use of zero-emission technologies in electricity generation; Promoting economically justified self-generation and self-consumption of energy; Improving energy efficiency, promoting the use of alternative fuels and RES technologies in transport; Energy security, reducing energy dependency, full integration of energy markets and modernisation of infrastructure; Improving the efficiency of waste and wastewater management and reducing GHG emissions; Efficient use of resources and reduction of GHG emissions in agriculture; Sustainable use of resources, reduction of GHG emissions and increasing CO2 sequestration in the sectors of land use, land-use change and forestry; Reducing the use of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases); “Greening” of the tax system and improvement of friendliness to energy efficiency and RES technologies; Informing, education and awareness-raising of the public.
In accordance with the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, all Member States of the European Union should draw up such a plan and submit it to the European Commission.