Over the past year, specifically from November 2024 through October 2025, Latvia's electricity consumption exhibits a strong leaning towards low-carbon sources. Low-carbon electricity generation constitutes slightly more than half of the total electricity mix, with hydropower accounting for the majority of this category at just under 39%. Fossil fuels, particularly gas, contribute just over a fifth to the electricity mix. Among the minor sources, solar energy makes up about 7%, while wind energy contributes just over 3%. This balance between clean and fossil energy highlights Latvia's ongoing transition towards a more sustainable electricity system, despite the continued presence of notable fossil fuel reliance.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember, Energy Institute, Eurostat and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Latvia?
Comparing the current electricity consumption in Latvia to past figures, we can observe a concerning stagnation. In 2025, per person electricity consumption stands at 3691 kWh, a decrease from the 3960 kWh per person recorded in 2018. This indicates a dip of approximately 269 kWh per person since that historic record. More critically, low-carbon electricity generation per person has dropped even more significantly, falling from 2780 kWh in 2017 to 2029 kWh in 2025, marking a substantial decline of 751 kWh. This downtrend is particularly worrying in the context of rising global aspirations for sustainable and clean energy growth.
Suggestions
To boost low-carbon electricity generation, Latvia could draw lessons from regions with robust nuclear and solar energy infrastructures. Countries like France and Slovakia lead with nuclear, generating around 69% and 67%, respectively, of their electricity from this clean source. Latvia should consider adopting a similar strategy to expand its nuclear capacity significantly. Additionally, Latvia can take inspiration from solar energy leaders like Chile and Nevada, which efficiently generate about a quarter and 30% of their electricity from solar. Strengthening investments in both nuclear and solar energy could help Latvia increase its low-carbon electricity share and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, contributing to a cleaner environment and mitigating climate change impacts.
History
Examining the history of low-carbon electricity in Latvia shows a fluctuating trajectory primarily driven by hydropower. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, hydroelectric production witnessed alternations between increases and sharp declines. Notably, from 1996 to 1999, there was a dramatic drop of 1.1 TWh, followed by fluctuations into the early 2000s. More recent years, like 2017 and 2023, have seen significant surges in hydroelectric power generation with increases of 1.9 TWh and 1 TWh, respectively. Over the decades, these variations reflect the dependency on variable hydrological conditions, hinting at the need for more stable and diverse sources of low-carbon electricity, such as nuclear and solar, to ensure a consistent supply that aligns with sustainable energy goals.
