Renewable Energy

Latvia has ample forest and biomass resources which can be used as a source of green energy. The technology being used at Malpils uses biomass very efficiently and produces high emission standards substantially better than that from a conventional biomass boiler.

Latvia also has a waste problem. Usually about 70% of wastes are biodegradable and equivalent to biomass. The balance is inert materials and materials derived from fossil fuels. Landfill sites in Latvia are at a premium and many are not properly engineered which results in environmental problems from greenhouse gases escaping from the landfill site and leachate polluting the groundwater. On joining the European Union in 2004, Latvia committed itself to reduce waste and to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, as required under the EU Landfill Directive 1999. Failure to meet the targets will result in heavy fines for Latvia. The plant which will be able to process wastes in an environmentally sound way which will make a significant contribution to Latvia’s target and will avoid any waste going to landfill in Malpils.