Vidzeme region is located in North East part of Latvia with the area of 15 257 km² or 24% of total Latvia territory.

Vidzeme Planning Region (hereinafter – VPR) was established with the aim of ensuring regional development planning, coordination, co-operation between local governments and other public administration institutions. The VPR is under the supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

About 60% of the total housing stock was built between 1960 and 1990. About 80% of these buildings do not meet the minimum energy performance requirements of the building regulations. The renovation process is slow due to high costs, low sales revenue and very long payback times. So far, there are no household energy efficiency support programs in the region aimed at replacing inefficient electrical equipment.

VPR is a partner in the Central and Eastern European Sustainable Energy Union (CEESEU) project. The main objective of the project is to build the capacity of public administrations to develop Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plans (SECAPs) in Central and Eastern Europe, which promote enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable energy, low carbon and climate change adaptation, helping the region to meet EU climate goals. Central and Eastern European (CEE) municipalities are lagging behind their Western European counterparts in developing SECAP for a number of reasons, such as lack of understanding and interest in planning processes, lack of access to knowledge, resources and resources, and the need for information strategies or procedural changes at EU level, such as the Covenant of Mayors, adapting to the unique circumstances of the CEE.

In addition, VPR participates in the project “Practical solutions for the smart use of energy resources (Smart Living)” with the aim of promoting a society-friendly lifestyle and smart use of energy resources in Latvia and Estonia, combining the knowledge of both countries and the competence of partner organizations. The project will include a wide-ranging campaign to promote the development of an environmentally friendly lifestyle and smart energy effects, possibly including the use of renewable energy sources. How is public awareness of resource use going?

Additional information on planning documents can be found here:

VPR Regional Energy Profile

VPR Energy Vision 2050