Electric power generation in Latvia down 4% in January

RIGA, Feb 19 (LETA) - In January 2021, Latvia generated 606,231 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electric power, down 4 percent from the same period last year but 19 percent more than in December 2020, Augstsprieguma Tikls transmission system operator informed LETA.

Latvia's large heat-and-power (cogeneration) plants achieved the most significant increase as power generation there grew 156 percent against January 2019 and 32 percent against December 2020.

Augstsprieguma Tikls said that this the output of heat-and-power plants grew on increased demand for thermal power, caused by cold weather in January, as well as higher electricity prices, which increased producers' profitability. The average wholesale electricity price in Latvia jumped 19 percent against December last year and 74 percent against January 2020.

Meanwhile, power generation at hydropower plants on the Daugava River fell 51 percent from January 2020, which could also be put down to weather conditions. A year ago, the hydropower plants on the Daugava produced more electricity thanks to an increased inflow of water, caused by a warm January.

Power generation by Latvia's wind farms in January 2021 increased by 32 percent on year, small cogeneration plants produced 7 percent more energy than a year ago, power plants running on biomass raised production 4 percent and biogas-fired power plans generated 4 percent less energy. Power generation at Latvia's small hydropower plants declined 9 percent.

According to the Augstsprieguma Tikls report, electricity consumption in Latvia rose 1.7 percent on year to 671,953 MWh in January 2021.