Electricity tariffs may more than quadruple in Latvia, system operator warns

The tariffs of Latvian power transmission system operator Augstsprieguma tīkls JSC (AST) may increase 4.3 to 4.9 times starting with 1 March 2023, according to the tariff project published in the Latvian Herald.
The statement mentions that on 15 October AST submitted its new electricity transmission system service tariff project to the Public Utilities Commission (SPRK).
This tariff project states that for users whose power affiliation limit is 110 kV, the electricity transmission tariff will be 0.00741 EUR/kWh, which is 4.3 times more than it is now. The fee for power output maintenance for these users will be 13.288 EUR/kW, which is 47% more than now.
For users whose power affiliation limit is 110 kV bus bars, the electricity transmission tariff is planned at 0.00891 EUR/kWh, which an increase of 4.5 times, whereas the fee for power output maintenance for these users will be 15.115 EUR/kW, which an increase of 50%.
For users whose power affiliation limit is 110/6-20 kV (with 06-20 kV on the transformer side), electricity transmission tariff will be 0.01119 EUR/kWh, which is 387% more than now. The fee for power output maintenance for these users is planned to be increased by 51% – to 16.608 EUR/kW.

The project also states that the fee for electricity users connected to the transmission system will reduce by 11% – to 0.81302 EUR/kW a year.

The proposed tariff plans may come to force on 1 March 2023.
The statement explains that the 26 November 2020 decision of SPRK in regards to AST electricity transmission system service tariffs governs the period between 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2022.
Tariff changes are related to the significant jump of electricity prices on the exchange, as the prices are currently six times higher than the current tariff. This causes electricity transmission loss and technological consumption costs are up. There is also the impact from inflation.
Proposals and recommendations regarding the tariff plan can be submitted to AST and SPRK in writing or electronically within 20 days of the statement’s publication in the Latvian Herald.
AST is a state-owned Latvian power transmission system operator that ensures operations of the electricity transmission network and security, provides transmissions system services based on published transmission service tariffs, provides the transmissions system’s operational management and provides a safe and stable electricity transmission within the system.
The company is the biggest shareholder in Conexus Baltic Grid JSC, in which it owns 68.46% of shares.