The Latvian Energy Strategy 2050 discussed in RMSG meeting
On 11.11.2024 the LCCI brought together in Riga policy makers, academia and the private company representatives having interest in green hydrogen related topics for the first multistakeholders meeting. The policy makers were represented by representatives of the Ministry of Climate and Energy (also Associated Policy organisation within the Green Hydra project) and the Ministry of Economy, other participants were from the Riga Technical University, the Latvian Hydrogen Association, and the business community. The group members are involved in the project to learn from the best practices of other project partners and to engage in dialogue with Ministry of Climate and Energy to positively influence Latvian policy planning for hydrogen ecosystem development.
The participants stressed the need for more effective communication on hydrogen development projects and initiatives at national level and see Green Hydra as an opportunity to improve understanding of the sector. Also they are interested in learning about the investment amounts planned in different EU regions for different projects.
Only a few days prior to the meeting, the Ministry of Climate and Energy had published a policy document – the Latvian Energy Strategy 2050. The Latvian Energy Strategy 2050 sets out goals and priorities to adapt to rapid changes in the global energy sector and ensure a stable, secure and sustainable energy supply for the country. The strategy stresses that by reducing its dependence on fossil fuels and increasing the share of renewable energy sources, Latvia will in the long term not only secure an environmentally friendly energy supply, but will also significantly increase its energy independence.
The strategy sets out a number of scenarios that Latvia can meet by 2050, including a range of optimistic and pessimistic options. The scenarios reflect the need to increase the projection angle and are based on global and local factors that may have an impact on the country's future. The scenarios represent possible future pathways and are based on global and local factors that may affect the energy sector. All scenarios foresee the use of hydrogen, however, it takes a more important role in optimistic scenarios.
The representative from Ministry of Climate and Energy presented the scope of the document during the stakeholder meeting and it provided an excellent opportunity for the stakeholders to discuss the document directly with the policy maker.