Investment from the Recovery Fund will be invested in improving the energy efficiency of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet and the Great Guild building

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Within the framework of the Recovery Fund's support program for enhancing energy efficiency and transitioning to renewable energy resources in state buildings, including historic buildings that serve cultural functions, the Central Finance and Contracting Agency (CFLA) has concluded contracts for investments in the Latvian National Opera and Ballet and the Great Guild buildings, among several other projects. The program plans to invest a total of 23.9 million EUR in Recovery Fund investments to improve energy efficiency.

"The cultural-historical buildings are a unique testimony to Europe's cultural heritage in each of the European Union member states. Shaped by the various turns of history over the centuries, cultural-historical objects have marked the face of Europe, making it admired, beautiful, and loved worldwide. The Recovery Fund's investment in this program is significant support not only for preserving our European identity but also for achieving the goals of the Green Deal," said Zane Petre, Head of the European Commission's Representation in Latvia.

"Improving energy efficiency in cultural-historical buildings is an essential step towards a green course in culture as well. In buildings like 'The Great Guild', it is vital to preserve not only the cultural-historical heritage but also to ensure a comfortable and quality use of the building for artists and visitors. At the same time, we must actively work and move forward rapidly with partners to implement the planned work in other cultural institutions within the Recovery Fund, for example, in the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, the National Archives of Latvia," emphasized Culture Minister Agnese Logina.

"Enhancing energy efficiency has been a priority for the Ministry of Economics for many years, accordingly also one of the pillars in planning the investment directions for both the Recovery Fund and the EU structural funds for the 2021-2027 planning period. A total of 475 million EUR will be invested in energy efficiency improvement by 2027, of which 116 million EUR will be specifically allocated to state and cultural-historical buildings' energy efficiency improvement measures," highlighted Edmunds Valantis, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics.

Investments in improving the energy efficiency of cultural-historical buildings are critically needed, considering the age and wear of the buildings, reducing energy consumption while respecting the historical value of the buildings, improving their technical condition, and enhancing the comfort felt by both employees and visitors after the planned work is completed.

The support program's total volume is 28,735,222 EUR, including 23,956,000 EUR of RF funding. The initial phase of the program is intended to finance the development of technical or design documentation for nine projects. In the second phase, energy efficiency works will be carried out in the two largest projects - the Latvian National Opera and Ballet and the Great Guild buildings, as well as additional selected projects, which will be chosen by the Ministry of Economics after evaluating the energy savings indicators. The maximum project implementation term is until March 1, 2026.

"We expect that this state buildings' energy efficiency investment program will require very high motivation and strict adherence to tight deadlines from project implementers, as there is little time left for implementation. Given that construction projects are quite complicated and carry a high risk in terms of meeting deadlines, project implementation must start immediately. Therefore, the support of all involved partners will be crucial to ensure that the much-needed investments are realized exactly as intended," emphasized CFLA Director Anita Krūmiņa.

In the historical part of the Latvian National Opera, ventilation, heating supply, and heating node restoration, radiator replacement and thermostat installation, power supply system restoration and automation, roof insulation above the public area and workshop, and water supply and sewage system reconstruction will be carried out. The work is planned to be carried out without interrupting the main activities of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet. The historic building of the Latvian National Opera is a monument of national architectural significance, therefore, special attention during the reconstruction process will be paid to implementing energy efficiency measures according to artistic and technical research recommendations, including the restoration of individual room interiors as necessary.

"This will be the largest investment in the Latvian National Opera building since its reconstruction in the early 1990s. The restoration of engineering systems will address problems with the building's temperature, air quality, and microclimate, as well as increase the energy efficiency of the historical corps. The investment in the historic building will significantly improve both the opera audience's experience visiting the opera house and our collective's working conditions," says Sandis Voldiņš, a board member of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet.

During the reconstruction and restoration of the Great Guild building, it is planned to fully preserve the authenticity of the building, respecting the original materials, technology, and historical construction methods, and to improve energy efficiency.

"The LNSO is extremely happy and satisfied that the long-awaited Great Guild renovation project has reached the implementation phase. Over several years, a very good project has been carefully developed, in our opinion. Now we hope for an excellent and successful implementation of this project!" emphasizes Indra Lūkina, director of the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra.

Window and door restoration is planned to improve the building's insulation. Roof insulation to reduce heat losses. Reconstruction and improvements in the building's internal heating, ventilation, and cooling systems to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption. These measures will help reduce the building's energy consumption and its environmental impact, thus promoting sustainable and energy-efficient infrastructure, as well as ensuring pleasant conditions for concerts in the Great Guild. A total of about 14 million EUR is planned to be invested in the implementation of the Great Guild development project.

"Mastering energy efficiency is a future-oriented competence that helps protect the environment and save resources. We pay great attention to changing the habits of both our company's employees and our clients. As a result of the Great Guild project, the building's energy efficiency will be improved, reducing primary energy consumption by at least 20%, reconstructing the Great Hall to increase its capacity and improve acoustics, and the building will be adapted for people with functional impairments," emphasizes Jeļena Gavrilova, a board member of State Real Estate.

As known, within the framework of this support program, grant support with an intensity of up to 100% is available for enhancing the energy efficiency of state buildings, including works on the buildings' enclosing structures, restoration or creation of building engineering systems, including heating, water supply, ventilation, and cooling systems; purchase and installation of renewable energy sources for heat energy production; purchase and installation of automated control systems for buildings and engineering systems; preparation of project technical documentation; restoration and interior finishing works to preserve the original architectural and interior finish details' visual and technical condition; structural restoration and renovation works; project management and supervision.

Initially, the Ministry of Culture (KM) as the responsible authority for cultural policy in Latvia conducted a pre-selection of potential project applicants (buildings with a cultural function), selecting nine potential project applicants for a limited project selection. Subsequently, the projects were evaluated by an evaluation commission established by the Ministry of Economics, and after the preparation of a positive opinion, the Central Finance and Contracting Agency concluded an agreement or contract with the project implementers for project implementation.

The conditions of the support program are included in the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 443 of August 8, 2023, "Rules for the implementation of investments 'Improvement of energy efficiency in state sector buildings, including historic buildings' under the reform and investment direction 1.2 'Improvement of energy efficiency' of the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility plan 1.2.1.4.i."