In order to reduce air pollution and its negative impact, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MoEPRD) in cooperation with the Central Finance and Contracting Agency is launching a support programme for the replacement of combustion appliances used in household heating in Latvian cities. The total EU funding available for the implementation of the projects amounts to EUR 12.44 million.
The conditions for granting and using the available funding will be presented at the discussion "Available Support for Changing Heating Equipment in Cities" on 29 May 2023 at 11.00 in the Conference Hall of the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, K.Valdemāra iela 35. The discussion is organised by the Association for Education, Culture and Innovative Projects (IKIPA) and can be attended in person or watched live on the Facebook page "Mana vide" https://fb.me/e/1hDAC9D6B.
The aim of the support programme is to promote the replacement of existing inefficient biomass and solid fossil fuel (coal and peat) heating installations in urban areas in order to reduce their negative impact on air quality and public health. At the same time, it will help citizens to improve the technical condition of their heating sources and systems. With the support of European Union funds, by the end of 2025, at least 50 tonnes of fine particulate emissions per year will have been reduced, while at least 2 795 citizens will have benefited directly from the air quality measures.
The support is intended for installations that produce lower emissions of air pollutants for heat pumps, as well as for ecodesign-compliant biomass boilers. At the same time, in terms of reducing urban air pollution, it is important to promote the connection to efficient district heating systems, which generally have lower air pollutant emissions than individual heating solutions. In addition to the purchase and installation of heat pumps or biomass boilers, the installation of solar panel systems can also be carried out and the renovation, conversion or creation of heating systems can also be supported according to technology.
The support programme aims to motivate people to think about their living environment and the quality of the city's environment, as well as the efficiency of existing heating installations and the energy resources they use, including helping them prepare for the new heating season.
Participants:
Dana Prižavoite, Head of the Investment Policy Department, Environmental Investment Division, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development;
Madara Austriņa, Head of the Environment and Digitisation Project Selection Unit, Project Selection Department, Central Finance and Contracting Agency;
Irēna Emīlia Švilpe, Economic Adviser, European Commission Representation in Latvia;
Edgars Vīgants, Associate Professor and Senior Researcher, Institute of Environmental Protection and Heat Systems, Faculty of Energy Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Riga Technical University.
For more information on the programme and its conditions, please visit https://www.varam.gov.lv/lv/gaisa-piesarnojumu-mazinosu-pasakumu-istenosana-uzlabojot-majsaimniecibu-siltumapgades-sistemas-0, www.cfla.gov.lv, email silti@cfla.lv or call the advice line +371 24002700.
The information campaign " Mana māja. Mana vide" is implemented with the financial support of the Latvian Environmental Protection Fund (LVAF) and provides residents with information on the proper operation of individual heating equipment, good fuel combustion practices, the impact of different fuels on health and the environment. The aim of the activities is to promote a change in the behaviour and habits of the population through the purchase of new equipment and the maintenance of existing equipment, contributing in the long term to the reduction of emissions from household heating installations in urban areas.
