Latvian Legislative Impact on the Use of RES in Latvia

Latvia is a new European Union country, with 20-year experience in the efforts to develop the energy policy that would favour reliable supply of the state with energy and promote its effective and rational utilization. The energy law should take into consideration the technological progress and increasing energy consumption as well as the poorly regulated sphere of production and utilization. At present, new regulations are needed, as the existent ones have become outdated and unable to ensure stable development of the energy sector. Since Latvia has been confronted by counterproductive laws, it is highly important to estimate beforehand the future impact of legislation on the state economy. On issues of the day for our country is now to guarantee − by force of law − the optimal share of renewable energy in the national energy mix. The objective set within the framework of European Union policy is to achieve a 40% share of renewable energy by 2020; therefore, it is necessary to work out a separate law concerning the renewable energy sources (RES). The new RES law is to regulate support and to promote increase in the share of renewables. However, there are many influencing factors – not clearly specified outlooks for the energy sector and national economy development, the interests of energy importers, lobbying, etc.; these factors can make the RES law not only ineffective but even negatively affecting the RES share stability in the state energy balance. It is therefore essential, before the law has been adopted, to thoroughly analyze it so that the optimal variant is accepted