The National Library of Latvia (NLL) invites the public, cooperation partners and media representatives to a press conference on December 10, 2025 at 11:00–12:00 in the NLL choir on the 11th floor to inform about the progress of the implementation of the European Union (EU) Recovery and Resilience Facility projects “Solar Park for Self-Consumption Electricity Provision at NLL” and “Improvement of Energy Efficiency in the NLL Repository in Ropaži Municipality “Rakstos”.
The press conference will be attended by:
Minister for Culture Agnese Lāce;
Director of the Department of Energy Financial Instruments of the Ministry of Economics Selīna Ābelniece;
Director of the NLL Dagnija Baltiņa;
Juris Ģiedris, Director of the Economic Department of the National Library of Latvia, Head of the EU Recovery Fund projects “Solar park for self-consumption electricity provision in the National Library of Latvia” and “Improvement of energy efficiency in the National Library of Latvia repository in Ropaži municipality “Rakstos””.
As a result of the tender for the implementation of the European Union (EU) Recovery and Resilience Facility project “Solar Park for Self-Consumed Electricity Supply at the National Library of Latvia”, the contractor – the supplier association “DEVRE AE” has been selected, and construction work has begun. The aim of the project is to make investments in the infrastructure building of the National Library of Latvia and its territory in Riga at Mūkusalas Street 5, in order to achieve a reduction in primary energy consumption of at least 30%.
During the summer period, the NLL buildings in Riga at Mūkusalas Street need to be cooled, in particular, a constant, uninterrupted microclimate in the storage rooms needs to be ensured. To ensure this, a large amount of electricity is consumed (50% of the electricity required for the entire year is consumed in the summer months). The greatest consumption intensity of cooling equipment is created precisely in sunny weather, when there is also the greatest potential for solar electricity production.
By installing the solar power generation park, electricity will be consumed for self-consumption. According to the energy auditor's calculations, the building will achieve a total primary energy saving of 135.42%, which will amount to 338.74 MWh/year.
The NLL also continues to implement the project “Improving energy efficiency in the NLL repository in Ropaži municipality “Rakstos”. The construction contractor is SIA “Ekoteh būve” (Ltd.), the construction work has been completed to the extent of 75%. The construction work must be put into operation by mid-March 2026. The aim of the investment project is to improve energy efficiency in the repository of the National Library of Latvia in Silakrogs “Rakstos” in Ropaži municipality, in order to achieve a reduction in primary energy consumption of at least 35%.
The building was built in 1950. Since 1998, the building has been used as a book storage facility for the National Library of Latvia – later a repository. A constant microclimate must be ensured in the storage facilities throughout the year (heating in winter, cooling in summer), as a result of which heat (cold) energy losses occur throughout the year. The building is not energy efficient – as part of the construction work, it is planned to perform thermal insulation of all enclosing structures and foundations, waterproofing of foundations, drainage of rainwater from the building, replacement of windows, partial construction of them in the storage facilities, installation of a ventilation system in staff offices and a meeting room, installation of energy-efficient lighting.
According to the construction plan – explanatory memorandum developed and agreed upon by the building authority, as well as the calculation made in the temporary energy certificate of the building, it is planned to achieve total primary energy savings of 58.62%, which will amount to 261.75MWh/year.
The project is financed by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility and the Latvian state budget.
Additional information:
Juris Giedris
Director of the Economy Department of the National Library of Latvia
Head of the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility projects “Solar park for self-consumption of electricity in the National Library of Latvia” and “Improvement of energy efficiency in the National Library of Latvia repository in Ropaži municipality “Rakstos””
E-mail: Juris.Giedris@lnb.lv
Phone: +371 67806116, +371 29456979
