Experience sharing program for Covenant of Mayors’ signatories “City2City” in Latvia – day 1

From 18th to 22nd of March, 2019 19 mayors and deputy mayors from 6 countries of the Eastern Partnership will take part in a study tour for representatives of the city-signatories of the Covenant of Mayors, organized by the EU Project “Covenant of Mayors – East”. The main goal of the program is to increase the potential of cities in the development and implementation of sustainable energy and climate development policies in the framework of the Covenant of Mayors by learning from the experience of partners from Eastern Europe.

Participants were selected through an open competition based on formal criteria and their motivation and willingness to gain practical knowledge. In addition, during the selection process, participants were asked to prioritize their needs and expectations during the study tour in order to adapt the program of activities to their practical needs. Based on the information received on the priority themes of the program (renewable energy, district heating, energy efficiency in buildings, local energy production, street lighting, etc.), two of the most advanced cities in Latvia were chosen – Riga and Jelgava.

The first day of the program was devoted to familiarization with the activities of the Riga Energy Agency in the development and implementation of various activities within the framework of the SEAP in Riga, presented by Mr. Timurs Safiulins, the agency director, and Ms. Maria Kruglova, the agency’s program coordinator. In particular, the participants familiarized themselves with the concept of the Smart City of Riga, the principles of the renovation program and the improvement of energy saving in residential buildings carried out with 50% co-financing of the city administration, the program for optimizing the district heating system and introducing energy saving solutions and with a single information base and system registration of municipal services. The Riga Energy Agency (REA) at the Riga City Hall was established on January 23, 2007. The Agency performs various functions, including: developing and implementing the SEAP, preparing and updating the development concept of the Riga heating network, developing an energy efficiency improvement program in municipal structures, creating an information center for energy efficiency, providing services to energy auditors, cooperating with foreign and international institutions and organizations in accordance with authority of the Agency.