For more sustainable district heating in Riga: Gren lays foundation stone for a 50 MW woodchip boiler plant
Energy company Gren today held a foundation stone laying ceremony for its new high-efficiency 50 MW biomass boiler plant in Salaspils municipality, embedding a time capsule with a message to future generations in its foundation. The new boiler plant – representing an investment worth more than EUR 30 million, will significantly strengthen the security and sustainability of Riga’s district heating system by increasing the share of renewable energy and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The ceremony was attended by Jurģis Miezainis, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Economics, Raivis Anspaks, the Mayor of Salaspils Municipality, Urmo Heinam, CEO of Gren Baltics, Andris Vanags, Country Manager of Gren Latvia as well as other project partners and guests.
“Local resources play an important role in the context of district heating in both Riga and Latvia, reducing the exposure of businesses and consumers to fluctuations in imported resource prices and contributing to more stable and predictable heat prices in the long term. The new woodchip boiler plant will be a fitting addition to Riga’s district heating system,” said Jurģis Miezainis, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Economics.
“Baltic energy markets are evolving rapidly, and in a time of growing uncertainty across Europe, local resources have never mattered more,” said Urmo Heinam, CEO of Gren Baltics. “Our new greenfield project is a clear expression of Gren’s long-term perspective: we invest in local, predictable, and renewable solutions. Every megawatt produced here reduces our exposure to volatile global commodity markets and strengthens the region’s energy security.”
“In our Northern climate, reliable district heating is the backbone of daily comfort and security,” said Andris Vanags, Gren Country Manager for Latvia. “The use of sustainable woodchips in energy production strengthens Latvia’s energy independence, reduces reliance on imported energy resources, supports local economic development and helps stabilise heat prices in the long term, ensuring a reliable heat supply for residents and businesses in Riga. Our goal is to make energy not only greener but also more affordable.”
Kalvis Kalniņš, Chairman of the Board of AS “Rīgas Siltums”: “Gren’s 50 MW woodchip boiler plant project is a significant contribution to the future of Riga’s district heating, and it clearly demonstrates that the transition from natural gas to a more diverse, renewables-based heating supply is continuing. We highly value such investments, as it is precisely these kinds of projects that strengthen the security of the system, reduce the impact of geopolitical events on heat prices, and bring us closer to our common goal: to shape Riga’s district heating into a modern, flexible, and sustainable energy platform based on diverse, complementary energy sources and modern technologies.”
Raivis Anspaks, Mayor of Salaspils Municipality: “Salaspils Municipality highly values the opportunity to host such an important energy project for the Riga metropolitan area. Our ability to attract modern and sustainable investments of this kind reflects the municipality’s development and openness. Each such step strengthens not only the energy security of the capital, but of Latvia as a whole, and we are proud to be part of this nationally significant process.”
The new facility will feature two 20 MW woodchip boilers, each equipped with a 5 MW flue gas condenser, resulting in a total installed capacity of 50 MW. This technological solution ensures high fuel efficiency and minimal environmental impact, using state-of-the-art emission control technologies. All woodchips will be sourced from local producers, meeting strict sustainability criteria. The boiler plant will operate in synergy with the adjacent Gren biomass CHP plant, ensuring the most efficient operation of both facilities. Construction will be carried out by SIA Filter.
Commissioning of the boiler plant is scheduled for spring 2027. Following completion of the project, Gren will operate three heat production facilities in Riga – two biomass CHP plants and a biomass boiler plant – bringing Gren’s total heat capacity to 98 MW. The company continues to develop the waste-to-energy plant project in Acone, Salaspils municipality, which will enable the efficient use of non-recyclable waste generated in Latvia for energy production, while enhancing the sustainability and security of Riga’s heat supply.