Solar remains Latvia’s largest electricity source in July

Solar was Latvia’s largest source of electricity generation for the third consecutive month in July, producing 235 GWh of electricity, according to figures published by Latvian transmission system operator Augstsprieguma tīkls (AST).

Total electricity production reached 426 GWh last month, with solar accounting for 55%. Hydropower remained the second largest source of electricity generation, accounting for around 28% of total production in July. 

With Latvia’s total electricity consumption reaching 586 GWh last month, local electricity production provided 72.65% of total consumption, with the remaining 159 GWh imported from neighboring countries.

AST says that because the number of daylight hours decreased, solar power plants produced 14% less electricity in July than in June, for a level comparable to the level of production recorded in May.

However, the volume of solar produced last month was more than double July 2025, as the number and capacity of solar power plants has grown significantly. pv magazine recently reported that Latvia’s installed solar capacity had surpassed 1.5 GW and according to AST’s latest update, capacity has now moved past 1.8 GW.

While solar power plants produced 9% of all electricity consumed in Latvia across 2025, its share jumped to 23% across the first half of 2025. This buildout means that for the first time more electricity was generated by solar power plants than using natural gas, according to additional analysis by AST.

AST adds that while electricity prices in July across many parts of Europe were as high as they are in winter due to heat and drought, solar and wind power generation across the Baltic countries helped keep prices comparatively low. The amount of locally-produced electricity in the Baltic States reached 83% of consumption, with 73% provided by solar and wind parks.

The average electricity price in Latvia fell 19% month-on-month in July, standing at €74.95 ($86.76)/MWh. It also fell by 19% in Lithuania, to €75.86/MWh and by 32% in Estonia, to €43.93/MWh.

AST says that as a result of the high share of electricity generated from renewable energy sources, the Baltic region periodically became an exporter of electricity during daylight hours, delivering to the Scandinavian countries and Poland, while importing electricity from these regions during the rest of the day.