ENERGY 2026

About the event

Latvia’s energy sector is currently facing significant strategic decisions – how to ensure energy security while simultaneously developing a competitive and sustainable electricity market. The current geopolitical environment and the dynamics of the European energy market underline the need for a clear direction in investments, infrastructure development, and the future model of the national energy system.

Publisher “Dienas Bizness”, in cooperation with leading energy sector companies – AS “Latvenergo”, AS “Sadales tīkls”, AS “Augstsprieguma tīkls”, AS “RĪGAS SILTUMS”, TEGOS Law Firm, and ABB – is organising the annual conference “Energy 2026”, aimed at defining practical solutions for the development of Latvia’s energy system by balancing market dynamics, renewable energy integration, and system flexibility to ensure a secure, competitive, and sustainable electricity system.

At the opening of the conference, industry leaders and international experts will analyse Latvia’s energy priorities, the development of the electricity market, price trends, and future requirements for project developers. The central focus of the discussions will address a key strategic question – where the greatest value is created: through electricity exports or domestic consumption, and how this choice impacts investments, pricing, and market development.

The second part of the conference will focus on the development of renewable energy in Latvia and the readiness of the system for its integration. Discussions will cover the role of the largest market participants, electricity grid development under decentralisation conditions, as well as the development, regulation, and investment environment for energy storage solutions (BESS). Particular attention will be given to balancing rapid growth in generation capacity with grid capacity and overall system stability.

The concluding section will focus on the practical balancing of the energy system – examining where costs arise and where opportunities exist in a system with a high share of renewable energy sources. Specific flexibility solutions will be explored, ranging from battery technologies and demand-side management to industrial participation and the role of district heating as a rapid-response resource. The discussion will also address a critical question: what ensures system stability during periods when neither wind nor solar generation is available.

The conference is focused on practical solutions and strategic decisions that will shape the development of Latvia’s energy system in the coming years – from market structure and investments to technologies and regulation.

Conference Date: 13 May 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Venue: ATTA CENTRE Conference Centre, 60 Krasta Street, Riga
Working Languages: Latvian and English
The conference is intended for: energy policy makers, representatives of state and municipal institutions, energy producers, developers and suppliers, representatives of energy-intensive industries and manufacturing companies, building management and real estate development professionals, representatives of financial and development institutions, and investors.

PARTICIPATION IN THE CONFERENCE (in-person or online):
Participation fee for one attendee: EUR 300 + VAT
AS “Latvenergo” legal clients and partners receive a 15% discount: EUR 255 + VAT
Annual subscribers of “Dienas Bizness” receive a 30% discount: EUR 210 + VAT*

* Subscribe now HERE and receive the participation discount immediately.

For more information:
Santa Butāne
+371 26132470 | santa.butane@db.lv

ENERGY 2026

Programme

09:00–10:00 Registration and Morning Coffee

10:00–10:05 Opening Remarks
ARMANDA VILCIŅA, Journalist at “Dienas Bizness”

10:05–10:15 Opening Address
Latvia’s Energy Priorities in a Time of Geopolitical Tension: Security, Development and Competitiveness
KASPARS MELNIS, Minister for Climate and Energy


Development Model of Latvia’s Electricity Sector:
Market, Investments and Pricing

10:15–10:35 Dynamics of the European Electricity Market: Price Trends and the Baltic Outlook

  • What is the current progress of the energy transition in the Baltic electricity sector?
  • How are geopolitical tensions affecting electricity prices?
  • Where are the key investment opportunities in renewable energy and energy storage?

Aurora Energy Research will present its latest Baltic electricity price forecast, analysing market integration, geopolitics, and investment opportunities in wind, solar and battery storage, based on Aurora’s central market scenario.

ALEXANDER ESSER, Head of Nordics & Baltics, Aurora Energy Research

 

10:35–10:50 Financing the Baltic Energy Transition
PATRIK MARCKERT, Director, Head of Project & Structured Finance at Nordic Investment Bank

 

10:50–11:30 Panel Discussion
Exporting Electricity or Consuming It Domestically: Where Is the Greatest Value Created in Latvia’s Electricity Sector?

  • Latvia’s energy direction: exports or an electrified domestic economy?
  • Where should investments come first? generation, grids or demand development
  • Market rules that work: what kind of regulation attracts investment and stabilises prices?
  • What will determine future price levels? renewable energy expansion, investments or market dynamics?

Discussion participants:

  • KASPARS MELNIS, Minister for Climate and Energy;
  • ALDA OZOLA, Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission;
  • ALNIS BĀLIŅŠ, Chairman of the Board of the Latvian Renewable Energy Alliance;
  • ULDIS BIĶIS, Chairman of the Council at AS “Latvijas Finieris”

11:30–12:10 Coffee Break


Renewable Energy Development in Latvia:
System Readiness, Challenges and the Next Decade

12:10–12:25 The Role of “Latvenergo” in Latvia’s Renewable Energy Breakthrough – Investment Plans and Market Outlook
DMITRIJS JUSKOVECS, Chief Commercial Officer and Member of the Management Board, AS “Latvenergo”

12:25–12:40 Electricity Grids in the Renewable Energy Era: Capacity, Decentralisation and System Readiness
SANDIS JANSONS, Chairman of the Management Board, AS “Sadales tīkls”

12:40–12:55 BESS – The Cornerstone of a Renewable Energy-Based Power System
TOMS NĀBURGS, Country Manager Latvia, “Sunly”

 

12:55–13:10 BESS Development in Latvia: Development Conditions, Regulation, Market and Investment Reality
AGNESE HARTPENGA, Partner at TEGOS, Baltic Board Member, Head of Energy Practice Group, Attorney-at-Law

 

13:10–13:50 Panel Discussion
The Impact of Electricity Storage Solutions on Power Generation, Trading and System Stability

  • BESS scale and deployment in Latvia: impact on renewable integration, generation flexibility and balancing
  • Investment balance within the energy system: how storage influences generation, grid and market development
  • Impact on the electricity market: pricing dynamics, trading opportunities and market mechanisms
  • System stability and development model: the role of BESS in frequency regulation, reserves and coordinated planning

Discussion participants:

  • MĀRTIŅŠ ČAKSTE, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board, AS “Latvenergo”;
  • SANDIS JANSONS, Chairman of the Management Board, AS “Sadales tīkls”;
  • AGNESE HARTPENGA, Partner at TEGOS, Baltic Board Member, Head of Energy Practice Group, Attorney-at-Law;
  • TOMS NĀBURGS, Country Manager Latvia, “Sunly”

13:50–14:50 Lunch Break


Flexibility Portfolio:
Demand Response and Flexibility in the New Energy System

14:50–15:05 Balancing the Energy System with a High Share of Renewables: Where Costs Arise and Where Opportunities Exist
JOLANTA GRAUDONE, Head of Ancillary Services Department, AS “Augstsprieguma tīkls”

 

15:05–15:20 Balancing the Future Grid: EMS Integration, Energy Storage and the Cybersecurity Challenge
ŠARŪNAS STANAITIS, CEO of UAB “Inion LT”

 

15:20–15:35 Flexibility in Practice: How Digital Management (TRON) Connects Generation, Consumption and the Market
RIHARDS RUČEVICS, Chief Executive Officer, SIA “TRON”

 

15:35–15:50 49 MW in 90 Seconds: How District Heating Is Becoming a Rapid Response Resource
KALVIS KALNIŅŠ, Chairman of the Management Board, AS “RĪGAS SILTUMS”

 

15:50–16:30 Panel Discussion
An Hour Without Wind or Sun: Who Saves the System?

  • The economics of flexibility solutions: costs, revenue streams and value creation within the energy system
  • Market participants and business models: industrial participation and the development of the flexibility market
  • Technology and regulatory framework: what accelerates or slows down the development of flexibility solutions in Latvia
  • The future structure: which flexibility solutions will dominate and why?

Discussion participants:

  • GATIS JUNGHĀNS, Member of the Management Board, AS “Augstsprieguma tīkls”;
  • KALVIS KALNIŅŠ, Chairman of the Management Board, AS “RĪGAS SILTUMS”;
  • ŠARŪNAS STANAITIS, CEO of UAB “Inion LT”;
  • ROBERTS SAMTIŅŠ, Head of “AJ Power” Group

 

16:30 Closing Remarks

16:30–17:00 Networking & Refreshments