OREANDA-NEWS. January 14, 2007. Ivars Godmanis, Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia, met Andris Piebalgs, EU Commissioner for Energy, and discussed prospects for energy supplies in Latvia and risks which are mainly related to the decommissioning of Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania by December 31, 2009 as provided for in Lithuania’s accession agreement to the European Union, reported the Official website www.mk.gov.lv.

The Prime Minister and the EU Commissioner for Energy discussed opportunities for importing foreign energy resources, and Andris Piebalgs informed the Head of the Latvian Government about the situation of energy supplies in neighbour countries – Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Russia, Finland and Belarus.

They exchanged views concerning further actions of the Government of Latvia with regard to decisions on increasing power of energy generated in Latvia and diversification of energy supplies. Ivars Godmanis and Andris Piebalgs shared the view that the Government’s decision should be based on a comprehensive situation analysis and experts’ assessment.

The EU Commissioner expressed contentment with the energy efficiency improvement plan considered by the Government of Latvia and emphasised the importance of this issue in the EU. Andris Piebalgs also highlighted the priority set by the EU – increasing the proportion of renewable energy resources in the EU up to 20% by 2020 which for Latvia could be in a range from 40% to 50%.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Latvia’s commitment to increase the proportion of renewable energy resources but was cautious about the proposed proportion.