Latvia pilot

REVERTER pilot – Riga, Latvia

In Riga city, almost 85% of inhabitants live in multi-apartment buildings out of which 94% own their apartment. Around 6,000 multi-apartment buildings, which cover almost 75% of the total floor space, were built during the post-war period with poor insulation and require renovation.

About the pilot area

Total pilot area: 307.17 km²

Inhabitants: 614 618

Number of buildings of interest: 6 000 (>53% of multi-apartment building stock)

Climate

A Northern Continental climate, also known as a “continental” or “subarctic” climate

This climate is characterized by cold, snowy winters, with temperatures often dropping below -20°C (-4°F) and frequent snowfall, summers are short and relatively warm, with temperatures averaging around 10-20°C (50-68°F) and occasional thunderstorms.

The Northern Continental climate is known for its harsh, cold winters and short, mild summers, making it a challenging place to live for many people. However, the region’s natural beauty and unique flora and fauna make it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife enthusiasts.

Average temperature in winter: -1.5°C (Dec-Feb)/+1°C (Oct-March)

Average days of heating per year: 192 days

Average temperature in summer: +18°C (June-Aug)/+14.5°C (Apr–Sept)

Target audience

Particular focus is on vulnerable households living among other households, in poor condition multifamily buildings with little to no energy efficiency measures implemented, but willing to undergo the building’s deep renovation.

Social survey highlights: Energy Poverty in Riga, Latvia

A recent survey by the Energy Agency of Riga, conducted from June to September 2023 with 445 participants, sheds light on the effects of energy poverty on local residents. Findings will inform initiatives like One-Stop-Shops, personnel training, and roadmap development to support those struggling to afford basic energy needs for a comfortable life.

Digital One-stop-shop in Latvia Renove.lv

Renove.lv is a digital One-stop-shop that has been developed to ease access to information about the renovation of multi-apartment buildings in Riga, Latvia. Renove.lv is operated by Riga Energy Agency. It allows residents of Riga to get comprehensive information about the renovation process, support schemes, and information campaigns. Residents of Riga can also schedule a free consultation with Riga Energy Agency experts.

Energy poverty is a significant challenge all across Latvia, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly, and is only exacerbated by the current energy crisis. The poor condition of the housing stock is largely responsible the disproportionally large amount of income spent on energy bills and, thus, its renovation is key to ensure that all Latvians have access to affordable energy services.

Riga, Latvia

The heating season in Riga, Latvia can last more than 6 months. For this period, inhabitants must dedicate a substantial part of their income to energy bills. In addition, a large part of Riga’s population lives in uninsulated buildings that require urgent renovation.

Roadmap for Latvia

Supporting households in multi-apartment buildings to combat energy poverty

The roadmap aims to support households that dwell in multi-apartment buildings, to tackle energy poverty through energy renovation of buildings and the application of low-cost solutions. Implementing the roadmaps will facilitate the promotion of energy efficiency interventions and significantly contribute to the improvement of thermal indoor comfort, the surrounding environment, the technical condition of buildings, and the extension of their life cycle, as well as to the reduction of unexpected expenses.

Partners responsible for REVERTER pilot in Latvia

Consortium partners EKODOMA and Riga Energy Agency (REA) are both involved and responsible for roadmap testing in Riga, Latvia. If you want to learn more about project implementation in this pilot, please contact the responsible consortium partners.

Riga Municipal Agency “Riga Energy Agency”

Riga Energy Agency (REA) is an independent, non-profit municipal agency founded in 2007 in order to ensure the management and coordination of energy supply and energy efficiency in Riga municipality, attract investments for the smart development of the city, as well as provide information on energy efficiency issues.

Ekodoma Ltd.

Ekodoma is an energy engineering consulting company whose scope is to ensure energy efficiency and use of sustainable energy sources to achieve economic development with the lowest possible impact on the environment.