ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMMES FOR PRIVATE BUILDINGS IN LATVIA.

Energy efficiency improvement is one of the major priorities for the economic development worldwide, especially if it coincides with the increase of energy resources. Measures to lower energy demand in buildings require financial resources; though, support instruments prioritarily have included the EU funds targeted for the renovation of apartment and public buildings. Only from 2021, grants, technical assistance and guarantees in the form of state support tools are offered to the owners of private houses. Hence, the research aim is to evaluate the results of energy efficiency support programmes for the owners of private buildings in Latvia. The research employs content analysis, the method of analysis and synthesis and the graphical method. The support is allocated through three institutions: the Ministry of Climate and Energy (MoCE), the Ministry of Economics and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. Total financing is slightly below EUR 60 mln. The state support measures are targeted for the implementation of two activities: increase of energy efficiency and installation of electricity generation equipment. An increase of energy class of the building (not lower than C) and reduction of heat energy consumption at least by 20% are mandatory requirements to apply for the technical assistance at the state-owned development finance institution ALTUM that for now has approved almost EUR 5 mln of which 48.81% have been approved for the installation of energy generation equipment and 51.19% for the improvement of energy efficiency. All beneficiaries have achieved the set requirements: the average reduction of thermal energy consumption is 35-40% and the increase of energy classes A and B are also reported. The Ministry of Climate and Energy has granted 85.45% of financing available through this institution. Owners of private houses located in Pieriga statistical region have been the most active applying for the grants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]