Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Geothermal Country Notes

Latvia
The utilisation of geothermal energy is getting under way in Latvia. The results of geological investigations have shown that there are geothermal anomalies in the central and southwestern parts of Latvia, where the temperature of rocks and underground water (at depths of 1 300-1 950 m) reaches 30-65^oC. Such low-temperature waters are suitable for the provision of heat and balneology. Furthermore, waters of 10-30^oC can be used for fish farming. It is also foreseen that heat pumps could be installed.

A geothermal database has been created with financial support from Denmark. Preliminary calculations have demonstrated that the use of thermal underground water resources (within the limits of geothermal anomalies - above 30^oC) could total 175 MWt. However, the first experimental projects (to cover the base load of a centralised heat supply system) have shown that cost factors will prevent commercialisation of geothermal energy in the short term.  There has also been some theoretical research on the use of geothermal energy in Latvian health resorts.