On 17 September, the winners of the “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Building 2026” competition were honoured at an awards ceremony. The competition is organised by the Ministry of Economics as part of the “Dzīvo siltāk” (“Live Warmer”) campaign in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate and Energy and the Latvian Association of Civil Engineers.
This year, the competition jury once again paid particular attention to the ventilation and heating system solutions used in the submitted buildings, as well as to building sustainability, fire safety, construction quality and indoor climate. A total of 41 buildings were assessed in this year’s competition, including office centres, preschools and apartment buildings.
“Lower bills, an improved environment and modern technologies provide real and measurable benefits for every resident and business. Every renovated and newly constructed energy-efficient building brings us one step closer to our common goal – sustainable national growth and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This year’s competition winners demonstrate excellence and clearly show that by combining smart engineering solutions with high-quality project management, we can create modern homes,” emphasises Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis.
The winners of the “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Building 2026” competition are:
Apartment building at 18 Meža Street, Jaunolaine, Olaine Municipality – 1st place in the category “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Renovated Apartment Building 2026”;
StokOfiss U34 (office and warehouse building), 43 Ulbrokas Street, Riga – 1st place in the category “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Public Building 2026”;
Apartment building at 17 Grēdu Street, Riga – 1st place in the category “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Apartment Building – New Build 2026”;
“Caljan” LSEZ in Liepāja – 1st place in the category “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Industrial Building 2026”.
“When we talk about energy efficiency, we often focus only on the figures – how much we will save and by how much our bills will decrease. This is precisely why the Ministry of Climate and Energy continues to support housing energy efficiency and insulation, while also improving support programmes for households. The Social Climate Fund will also provide support for housing renovation and energy efficiency improvements, particularly for more vulnerable households. This benefits not only individual families but also Latvia’s energy security. What we do not need to consume, we do not need to produce or import,” emphasises Minister of Climate and Energy Jānis Vitenbergs.
The Ministry of Climate and Energy’s annual “Climate Friend” award was presented to a preschool educational institution in Liepāja. Lejasciems Primary School is an example of how investment in energy efficiency can become part of a broader transformation of the educational environment. In addition to renovating the building and reducing its energy consumption and costs, the project has created a modern, high-quality environment that is better suited to the needs of the school community. The example of Lejasciems Primary School demonstrates a comprehensive approach – investment in the building is simultaneously an investment in the quality of education and the local community.
This year’s public vote for the title of the most energy-efficient and most popular building was exceptionally close among the top three entries. A total of 3,231 votes were cast in the competition. The competition’s People’s Choice Award was presented to the “Liedags” preschool educational institution in Liepāja, which received 345 votes.
This year’s Jury’s Choice Award went to the Vidzeme Rehabilitation Centre at 195 Jumaras Street in Valmiera. The 1974 building, which had stood unused for an extended period, has undergone an inspiring transformation into a Class A energy-efficient facility. In line with circular economy principles, its load-bearing structures were retained and a 100 kW solar power plant was installed, fully covering the centre’s own electricity consumption.
The jury particularly highlighted the professional contribution of the company’s experts in selecting the best engineering solutions, as well as their day-to-day work in monitoring the indoor climate, optimising consumption and systematically educating colleagues about energy efficiency. This responsible team management, combined with a smart building management system (BMS), has created a bright, fully accessible, functional and socially supportive environment for restoring public health.
“The ‘Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Building’ competition is a unique opportunity to showcase the best energy efficiency projects implemented in Latvia, honour the very best and promote the idea of energy-efficient construction, thereby bringing us closer to a future in which every building is energy efficient. Keep up the good work,” says Helēna Endriksone, Vice-President of ECCE and First Deputy Chair of the Board of the Latvian Association of Civil Engineers.
Winners of the “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Building 2026” Competition
Category “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Renovated Apartment Building 2026”
1st place – 18 Meža Street, Jaunolaine
2nd place – 19 k-6 Gaismas Street, Ķekava
3rd place – “Ezerkrasti”, Dižstende, Talsi Municipality
Category “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Public Building 2026”
1st place – StokOfiss U34 | 34 Ulbrokas Street, Riga
2nd place – “Liedags” Preschool Educational Institution | 7 Saulrietu Street, Liepāja
3rd place – Office Building | 17 Antonijas Street, Riga
Category “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Industrial Building 2026”
1st place – “Caljan” LSEZ, Liepāja
Category “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Residential Building 2026 – New Build”
1st place – 17 Grēdu Street, Riga
2nd place – 47A Sergeja Eizenšteina Street, Riga
3rd place – 1 Ēvalda Valtera Street, Riga
Ministry of Economics People’s Choice Awards
The Ministry of Economics People’s Choice Awards were presented to:
“Caljan LSEZ” production facility in Liepāja – by successfully transforming historic industrial premises into a modern and energy-efficient production facility, the company has introduced smart building management systems (BMS), heat recovery and a solar power plant that covers up to 30% of energy consumption and reduces heat losses by 37%;
“New Hanza” office building in Riga – replacing traditional glass façades with highly insulated prefabricated reinforced-concrete panels, combined with advanced BMS controls, solar panels and a co-working concept, ensures exceptionally low energy consumption and Class A energy efficiency;
Project Manager Sarma Novicāne-Lazdāne – for more than ten years of professional, competent and dedicated work in building renovation. Sarma submitted five renovated apartment buildings to this year’s competition, one of which – the building at 19 k-6 Gaismas Street in Ķekava – achieved an honourable 2nd place. This demonstrates an outstanding ability to balance the interests of residents, clients and the environment.
Detailed information about this year’s competition winners is available on the competition website, energoefektivakaeka.lv.
About the “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Building” Competition
The “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Building” competition has been held for sixteen years as part of the “Dzīvo siltāk” (“Live Warmer”) campaign. Its aim is to promote best practice in building energy efficiency and sustainability.
Applications for the “Latvia’s Most Energy-Efficient Building 2026” competition could be submitted until 18 June 2026. A total of 41 buildings in four categories were entered in the competition.
The competition is organised by the Ministry of Economics, the Ministry of Climate and Energy and the Latvian Association of Civil Engineers.
The competition rules were developed in cooperation with the partners of the “Dzīvo siltāk” information campaign – the Latvian Association of Housing Managers and Administrators, the Latvian Association of Window and Door Manufacturers, Riga Technical University, Rīga Stradiņš University, the Association of Building Materials Manufacturers, the Latvian Association of Heat, Gas and Water Technology Engineers, the Latvian Building Contractors Partnership, the State Construction Control Bureau, the Latvian Association of Architects, the University of Latvia, the State Fire and Rescue Service, SIA “Publisko aktīvu pārvaldītājs Possessor” and the Central Finance and Contracting Agency.
The competition is co-financed by European Union funds. Its supporters are SIA “Paroc”, SIA “Saint-Gobain Celtniecības produkti”, SIA “Rockwool”, the Development Finance Institution ALTUM, AS “Latvenergo”, VentSys, AS “Rīgas siltums”, AS “Gaso” and AS “Sadales tīkls”.
The competition’s media partners are the magazine “Būvinženieris”, the newspaper “Latvijas Avīze” and the construction portals abc.lv, archidea.lv and building.lv.
Ministry of Economics
Public Relations Division
E-mail: san@em.gov.lv
