At the conference, Head of Business Development of Latvijas Gāze, Olavs Ķiecis, spoke about the company's goals and planned activities to support the European green course. The climate goals are very ambitious and the gas industry has an important role to play in achieving them. The main task is to achieve these goals on the most favourable terms possible, while maintaining the competitiveness of the economy. One of the most important steps in the production of environmentally friendly energy is the development of biomethane in Latvia. Currently there are 55 biogas plants in the country, which is a good basis for the further development of biomethane production. The production and use of biomethane helps to reduce independence from fossil fuels, ensure the efficient use of waste, reduce energy imports and reduce harmful emissions by 24%. Compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biomethane are energy sources that will help achieve the climate goals set by Europe.
In the discussion of energy sector representatives on the future of the energy market, Aigars Kalvītis, Chairman of the Board of Latvijas Gāze, spoke about achieving climate goals and the role of gas in climate plans. One of the main goals is to reduce CO2 emissions, but when it comes to measures to achieve this goal, currently nobody mentions the need to change people's living habits. It is not right for everyone to drive their own car and fly a plane several times a year, increasing their CO2 emissions, and then try to reduce them again. Europe is currently practically the only region in the world that is thinking about reducing these emissions. It is also an issue that needs to be addressed, because it affects the economy, making it uncompetitive, because you have to pay less for energy elsewhere in the world.
“Over the next 30 years, natural gas will play a very important role in achieving climate goals. Alternative energy sources, such as hydrogen, are still at the beginning of development and it is unknown when they will be widely available. Natural gas is the most environmentally friendly source of fossil energy. Therefore, it will be the primary energy resource in Latvia and also in Europe during this transition period,” said the Chairman of the Board of Latvijas Gāze.