Latvian government drafts five-point plan to curb heating price hikes in Riga

On Friday, September 25, Latvia's Cabinet of Ministers held an action meeting on readiness for the heating season and ways to curb rising costs of centralized district heating in Riga. Representatives of Rīgas siltums, Latvenergo, Conexus, the Latvian Heat Supply Association, the Public Utilities Commission and Riga City Council took part.

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' office said state-owned Rīgas siltums must submit, by October 16, a detailed assessment of cost-reduction measures already implemented, their impact on the December heating tariff, and a forecast of the expected tariff level and its effect on Riga residents.

Energy supply seen as stable

The Ministry of Climate and Energy said Latvia is generally ready for the heating season, with no significant risks expected to the physical availability of energy resources — natural gas reserves are sufficient and biomass resources are available. Heating companies have also confirmed their readiness for the season. Regular monitoring of the fuel supply situation will continue.

Household support measures

The ministry highlighted an existing support program for households to replace heating systems and install energy solutions. Should national energy costs rise to crisis levels, an automatic support mechanism is planned. The ministry proposed keeping support for protected electricity consumers at 2025 levels, plus new measures including funding for municipal social services to buy household generators and small pumps, broadening eligibility for support, and increasing support amounts.

The five-point plan

The Ministry of Economics and Rīgas siltums presented proposals to limit tariff increases during the 2026/2027 heating season. The initial plan includes reviewing free CO2 quotas for heating companies, wider use of waste heat from Latvenergo's thermal power plants for Rīgas siltums' needs, directing part of Rīgas siltums' dividends toward household support, supplying part of Latvenergo's delivered heat energy at a reduced tariff, and reviewing building temperature schedules to assess lowering indoor temperatures.

Kulbergs said the main risk this winter is price rather than a shortage of energy resources, adding that authorities must be ready to activate support mechanisms promptly if costs reach crisis levels.