Within the framework of long-term development scenarios of power adequacy, JSC "Augstsprieguma tīkls" (AST) in cooperation with international consultants will study the development of possible electricity consumption in Latvia, prepare a feasibility study for the development of a Latvian-Swedish electricity interconnection, as well as study the possible innovative measures for the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) in the Latvian electricity transmission network, developing methodologies for determining optimal solutions. Part of the studies will be supported by the European Union from RePowerEU fund.

"Considering the fact that the amount of RES producers to be interested for connection to the electricity transmission network currently exceeds the current maximum consumption of the Latvian electricity system more than five times, at the same time as the expected increase in the maximum load and electricity consumption in the electricity systems of the Baltic States and the Nordic countries in the next 10 years, it is essential to identify the possibilities for Latvian electricity system for the development of the system's maximum load and electricity consumption in order to prepare for the upcoming changes in energy sector. Along with the need for additional capacities, interconnections for the supply of these capacities will also be necessary. Interconnections with the Nordic countries and European countries are important for Latvia's electricity system, and one of the solutions is the transmission interconnection with Sweden, implementation of which we are going to investigate further", says AST board member Arnis Daugulis.

In the study "Development trends of electricity consumption of the Latvian electricity system in Latvian economic sectors" it is planned to analyse several consumption development scenarios and consumption development technologies. Based on the study results, AST will be able to plan more precisely the connections of RES producers to the transmission network and the development projects of the power transmission network. The study should provide an overview of innovative solutions that could help increase electricity consumption and maximum load in the Latvian electricity system, as well as identify the development trends of electromobility and hydrogen technologies in Latvia with the possible impact of increased consumption on the day peak and night minimum electricity load modes. This study will be carried out by "KPMG Baltics SIA", its estimated cost is 65 750 EUR, which is planned to be 100% covered by RePowerEU funds.

According to AST evaluation, if the total capacity of solar, onshore or offshore wind farms exceeds 1000 MW, additional construction of power transmission interconnections with neighbouring countries will be necessary, including construction of the Latvia-Sweden (hereinafter LaSGo link – Latvia-Sweden-Gotland) interconnection. In the study "Latvia-Sweden interconnection feasibility study" it is planned to evaluate the impact of the potential interconnection "LaSGo link" on the secure and stable operation of the energy systems in the Baltic Sea region, considering the development of offshore and onshore wind farms in the region.

The study will also analyse the possible implementation solutions of the "LaSGo link" project from a technical-economic point of view, it is planned to find out the costs of the construction of the possible interconnection, as well as to perform a cost-benefit analysis. This study will be carried out by the Italian company "CESI S.p.A.", for 158 500 EUR.

Results of the study "Application of innovative measures for the integration of renewable energy resources in the Latvian power transmission network and methodology for determining optimal solutions" will allow AST to conclude how much generating capacity can be connected to the electricity transmission network in various development scenarios, as well as allow one to explore the possibilities of connecting both solar and wind power plants together. The study will also evaluate how the RES capacity connected to the distribution network will affect the planning of the development of the power transmission network. The study should provide recomendations on which innovative measures should be most effectively applied to connect the maximum possible amount of RES producers' capacity to the existing 110 kV and 330 kV power transmission network. This study will be carried out by the French company "Artelys SAS", for 98 950 EUR, where the costs will be 100% covered by RePowerEU funding.