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24 min ago 2 min read
The Latvian government has approved proposals by the Ministry of Climate and Energy for the construction of two new biomethane injection points at a cost of €4.7m ($5.5m).
Gas transmission and storage system operator Conexus Baltic Grid will build the entry points in the cities of Ragana and Rēzekne .
Biomethane will be compressed and transported in containers from various producers in the region to the entry points, where it enters the country’s gas grid.
It enables smaller biomethane producers to take part in the common gas market without the need to build individual connections.
Latvia’s shift to biomethane reflects its intent to develop a self-reliant energy policy. While the country was almost 100% dependent on Russian gas in 2019, by early 2023, and officially by 2025, it had effectively cut imports from Russia.
“Energy and self-sufficiency are important aspects of Latvia’s energy independence,” said Kaspars Melnis, Minister of Climate and Energy.
The country now relies on Klaipedia LNG Terminal and storage in the Incukalns Underground Gas Storage.
Latvia has received €21.5m ($25m) through a programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund and other national sources that supports biomethane production and infrastructure.
“The support of EU funds allows Latvia to develop biomethane infrastructure more rapidly and lay the foundation for a sustainable and independent energy market,” added Melnis.
The first publicly accessible biomethane injection point in Latvia, funded by the EU Recovery Fund, was opened in Džūkštein July last year. Over one million cubic metres or 11,300 MWh of biomethane have been injected into it in 10 months.
