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In 2000, the energy sector employed 1.7% of labour force and its
added value contribution in the economy was 3.9%. The energy
sector is one of the few to show a significant growth in
employment (by 35.7%) since 1990.
Assessment of the eco-efficiency of the energy sector
indicates a heavy contribution of volatile organic compounds (VOC)
pollution, which has significantly changed since 1996. In 1996,
Latvia produced 9.1% less electrical energy than it purchased,
which is not typical for the country.
A significant portion of the total amount of sulphur dioxide
emitted in 1999 was produced by the energy sector (58.3% of the
total SO2 emitted). Energy consumption has decreased since 1997,
despite the positive GDP and growth in the sector (Figure 3.18).
This decline is associated with a decrease in heating fuel
consumption, and is therefore related to heating energy saving
actions, and to a lesser degree with energy saving in
manufacturing technologies.
Oil products represent the main energy resource in
consumption. The main energy producers in 2000 were
hydroelectrical and thermal electrical power stations, which
provided 47.3% and 19.5% of the electricity. The above values
indicate why oil products are the dominating energy resource.
The contribution of oil products in consumption (including
heating and petrol fuel) fluctuates between 35% to 41% (including
heavy oil - 15%). The biggest consumers of heavy oil are heat
producers (70%) and industry (about 30%). The consumption is
mostly concentrated in the Latgale (25%) and Kurzeme (20%) regions.
The continuing rise in heavy oil has led to an increasing
contribution of gas as an energy resource in Latvia (34% in 2000).
The biggest gas consumers are in heat production (60%) and
industry (about 25%); other consumers utilize about 15% of the
total. A total of 82% of the gas consumption is concentrated in
the Rîga region.
Solid fuels include coal, peat and wood. Coal consumption has
continued to decrease in recent years (about 20% yearly). It is
not planned to increase consumption of peat as a fuel, and the
consumption levels will probably remain stable for several years,
with most of its use near peat extraction and processing locations.
The use of wood as a fuel is being developed both in consumption
and in efficiency. The biggest fuel wood consumption is for home
heating (about 60%), central heating (about 25%) and other for
uses (about 15%).
The typical resident of Latvia consumed on average 1.5 tonnes
of oil equivalents in 1999, which is about 57.8% less than in EU
countries.
Stable patterns are evident for consumption of electricity.
During the past five years, consumption in industry and losses in
distribution have declined. Consumption in agriculture and
transport have stabilized. Residential consumption has increased (due
to improvement of living standards), and the consumption in some
other sectors related to services.
The largest share of electricity production in Latvia is by
hydroelectrical power stations (mainly in the Daugava River).
However, hydroelectrical power production is dependent on climatic,
and hence also on hydrological, factors. In years with low
precipitation, electrical energy is imported, but in wet years
electrical energy can be exported. On average, Latvia can produce
about 60-70% of the required amount of electricity.
However, the above parameters do not fully explain the
situation. Hydroelectrical power stations provide a system in
which the amount of generated energy is very rapidly increased to
high levels, or rapidly decreased. Therefore, the system is very
valuable during hours of maximum consumption, when it serves not
only Latvia but also neighbouring countries. In contrast, energy
production in Lithuania (Ignalina nuclear power station) and
Estonia (thermal electrical power stations burning brown coal)
cannot ensure this level of control over energy production.
Therefore, during a daily cycle, the countries co-operating in the
energy system can change their status from an importer to exporter,
or vice versa.
While the amount of electricity produced by small
hydroelectrical power stations and wind generators is still
low (0.32% and 0.07%, respectively), their absolute amounts of
produced energy have increased dramatically by three times over a
period of three years.
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