Starting from January this year, the State Construction Control Bureau (SCCB) has carried out 12 inspections in power plants the generated electrical energy of which is procured within the framework of mandatory procurement (MP). The Bureau has taken the first decisions to revoke the right to sell electrical energy within the framework of MP.
Annual reports submitted by merchants on the implemented energy efficiency improvement measures and the resulting energy savings are estimated to be 518 GWh in 2018. Balance sheets of 112 large electricity consumers have been assessed.
When carrying out inspections in power plants the generated electrical energy of which is procured within the framework of MP, the SCCB has inspected 9 biogas power plants, 2 natural gas power plants and 1 biomass CHP plant. In addition, the information received from the Ministry of Economics was also updated regarding the issued permits for electricity MP and payments for the installed capacity. The SCCB has prepared a list including information about the existing and annulled decisions, as well as about the power plants whose aid award has expired. The list has been published on the SCCB’s website and will be further updated at least on a quarterly basis.
The Bureau has taken the first decisions to revoke the right to sell electricity produced by cogeneration within the framework of MP. Thus the Bureau has revoked the right of four power plants which belong to Golden Eagle Ltd. – “Katlu māja” in Degole Parish, “Centra katlu māja” in Tume Parish, “Skaidas” in Slampe Parish and “Džūkstes katlu māja” in Džūkste Parish. The right has been revoked because the power plants are not equipped with measurement devices or a system of measuring instruments which ensures individual accounts of each fuel consumed in a cogeneration unit and other heat production installations. The use of fuel in a power plant is a significant indicator in order to calculate savings of primary energy resources, while the savings of primary energy resources constitute one of the basic conditions for CHP plants to be entitled to sell the generated electricity within the framework of MP. As to the operation of the relevant merchant Golden Eagle Ltd. and the indicated non-compliances, it has been concluded that already last year the merchant received a warning from the Ministry of Economics (MoE).
In addition to this, the SCCB has taken one decision to revoke the right to sell electricity produced by cogeneration within the framework of MP – the decision has been taken upon receipt of an application from the merchant. Moreover, the State aid award expired in January 2020 for three more power plants.
The field of petroleum products is also monitored – it has been ensured that the State fee for the storage of oil emergency stock is administered in compliance with the requirements of laws and regulations. Reports have been prepared for the Central Statistical Bureau on the circulation and production of petroleum products, the consumption of petroleum products, and the service of storage of oil emergency stock, as well as calculations are made and by-laws are developed regarding procurement of oil emergency stock for 2021–2023. Work is also underway on the drawing up of technical specifications for the inspection of fuel quality in retail. Information is prepared and sent to the European Commission regarding oil prices in retail on a weekly basis.
With regard to the energy efficiency of buildings, the SCCB has taken over compilation of a list of State buildings in order to achieve renovation of 3 % of the total area of the buildings owned and used by the central government each year. This requirement is envisaged by the Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency. In December 2019, the SCCB made a list of State buildings for 2018 which was later published on its website, and provided information for its publication on the website of the Ministry of Economics. In January 2020, a new data request for 2019 was sent to public institutions.
Starting from 1 January 2020, the SCCB has been performing functions of the administration of the energy policy. Previously this function was fulfilled by the Ministry of Economics.
Information prepared by:
Elīna Balgalve, Public Relations Specialist
E-mail: Elina.Balgalve@bvkb.gov.lv, tel.: 67013320