Abiding to the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) decision Nr.18 „On certification of Transmission System Operator” from January 30, 2015, since January 1, 2015 transmission system operator (TSO) in Latvia „Augstsprieguma tikls” AS has taken over following functions of commercial activity from „Latvijas elektriskie tikli” AS:

1. Service and maintenance of transmission system assets;
2. Development of transmission system, construction of new networks, rebuilding and refurbishment of existing networks.

On January 30, 2013 PUC Council, taking into account conclusions by European Commission, certified „Augstsprieguma tikls” AS as independent transmission system operator, under the conditions that not later as in 24 months after the decision on certification above mentioned functions are performed by „Augstsprieguma tikls” AS or commercial structure selected by them neither directly nor indirectly connected to power production, sales and distribution activities.

Through the mutual operation of the working groups from both „Augstsprieguma tikls” AS and „Latvijas elektriskie tikli” AS action plan for commercial activity function take-over was developed providing for smooth restructuring through careful and intensive work process, including transfer of the employees from „Latvijas elektriskie tikli” AS in the time period of 2 years. „Latvijas elektriskie tikli” AS continues to operate as power system owner, renting out the transmission system assets to „Augstsprieguma tikls” AS.

Certification of „Augstsprieguma tikls” AS in the role of independent transmission system operation was important happening on the Baltic countries scale, since Latvia was first to certify its TSO. Certification of „Augstsprieguma tikls” AS clearly indicates that there is effective and non-discriminating energy market operating in Latvia and fair competition is possible there. Taking into account rather complicated model of TSO functioning chosen in Latvia, certification of its TSO was one of necessary pre-conditions for Nord Pool Spot energy Exchange to start its operations in Latvia, which in turn provided wide opportunities for all energy market players in the energy trades.