This week Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilisation in the country. He also accused the western world, saying that it threatens Russia’s «sovereignty and territorial integrity». According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, about 300 000 reservists could be mobilised. Since it does not seem Russia has a plan for the mobilisation, the number of reservists may turn out even higher. Reports are coming about Russians fleeing mobilisation by leaving the country.
This week there was also news about three more suggestions for support of households to help compensate the growing electricity and heating costs.
Additionally, there are plans to provide support to businesses – energy-intensive manufacturing companies.
BNN also contacted experts in the energy field to find answers to questions related to the situation on the electricity market and perspectives for the future.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Partial mobilisation; No visas; More support; Energy-intensive companies; +19° C; No to fur farms; Why is it the way it is?
PARTIAL MOBILISATION
Putin announces partial mobilisation and accuses the West of wanting to see Russia weakened
Photo: AP/ScanpixRussia’s President Vladimir Putin has announced a partial mobilisation in Russia and said that the West has shown that it aims to destroy Russia, informs broadcaster BBC with the reference to the news agency TASS.
In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday, 21 September, Putin announced that this was a necessary step to ensure Russian territorial integrity. He accused the West of wanting to see Russia weakened and destroyed.
The Russian president says that it’s necessary to take an urgent decision to protect people in the «liberated lands».
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NO VISAS
Minister: Latvia will not issue humanitarian or other visas to Russians fleeing mobilisation
Photo: Paula Čurkste/LETADue to security considerations, Latvia will not issue humanitarian or other types of visas to Russian citizens fleeing mobilisation, Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs announced on Wednesday, 21 September.
The minister also reported that the border restrictions for Russian citizens with Schengen visas will not be lifted either.
Following the announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding partial mobilisation, Latvia’s Ministry of Defence announced that the level of threat to Latvia remains low regardless.
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MORE SUPPORT
Ministry of Economics to hand the government three suggestions for support of households
Photo: PixabayLatvia’s Ministry of Economics will soon submit to the government three suggestions for support measures of households to help compensate electricity and heating prices, said the ministry’s deputy state secretary Edijs Šaicāns during a meeting of Saeima’s Sustainable Development Committee on Wednesday, 21 September.
The first suggestion includes the differentiation of central heating support.
Šaicāns said the centralised heating tariff will definitely exceed 150 EUR/MWh this season. This is why the Ministry of Economics offers preserving the already approved support, under which the state will compensate 50% of the price that exceeds 68 EUR/MWh. The state would compensate 90% for parts that exceed 150 EUR/MWh.
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ENERGY-INTENSIVE COMPANIES
Energy-intensive manufacturing plants in Latvia will have access to state aid
Photo: UnsplashEnergy-intensive manufacturers in Latvia will have access to state aid to help compensate growing energy resource costs, as reported by Ministry of Economics.
On Tuesday, 20 September, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the ministry’s proposed support mechanism for energy-intensive processing companies in order to lessen the impact of consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the sector.
Support for companies will be available in the form of grants. The volume of support will be equal to up to 30% of natural gas or electricity costs as long as the entire amount does not exceed EUR 2 million per company.
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+19° C
Temperature in apartments in Latvia to not exceed +19° C this winter
Photo: PexelsTo reduce consumption of energy resources on indoor heating, Latvia’s Cabinet of Ministers decided on Tuesday, 20 September, to temporarily reduce indoor air temperature, setting it to not exceed +19° C.
By reducing indoor air temperature by one degree, it will be possible to save up to 5% of heating costs, which is considerable in the long-term perspective, the Ministry of Economics reports.
The government’s decision provides that between 1 October 2022 until 30 April 2023 apartment home managers will have to organise heating system settings in a way so that air temperature inside apartments does not exceed +19° C and the lowest indoor air temperature is not to drop lower than +18° C.
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NO TO FUR FARMS
Fur farming in Latvia to be banned starting with 2028. Parliament prepares legislative framework
Photo: Paula Čurkste/LETAOn Thursday, 22 September, Latvia’s Saeima passed in the final reading amendments to the Animal Protection Law in order to bank animal farming if the main purpose is collecting their fur. This ban is planned to come into force on 1 January 2028.
The objective of these amendments is completely banning fur farming in Latvia. Amendments do not apply to acquisition of furs during hunts or trade of furs.
At first it was planned to impose the ban starting with 2026, but then it was decided to postpone it until 2028.
The Food and Veterinary Service reports there are four fur farms in Latvia that breed animals specifically for their fur. All three fur farms specialise in mink fur.
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WHY IS IT THE WAY IT IS?
BNN ASKS | Electricity – why is it the way it is?
Photo: BNN collage«How is the electricity price formed? Why is it so high on the exchange? When will it go down? Will the state support businesses and households? Which connection to pick – fixed or with the exchange?» – BNN asked these an other questions to experts in the field of energy to determine the situation on the market.
This summer the price of electricity in Latvia experienced a sharp surge. Compared to July 2021, the price of electricity at Nord Pool has more than tripled, but when compared to August the price has more than quintupled. 17 August 2022 shocked a large number of Baltic residents because the price of electricity in peak hours reached a new record – 4 EUR/kWh.
With higher electricity prices and upcoming 14th Saeima elections, the topic of Latvia potentially leaving Nord Pool appears in the public space more and more often. The topic of Latvia potentially using electricity produced in the country for its own needs only is also popular. Unfortunately, there isn’t much information how realistic these measures are and what they could mean for the country.
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BNN summary of the week: Mobilisation in Russia. More support. Electricity
