Author: Aleksejs Djukarevs

“Latvijas Energoceltnieks” has commenced the reconstruction work of the existing airport`s business waiting hall into a public passenger area with the space of 824 m2

The work includes:

• Dismantling and transfer of the existing passport control area (borders) to the North terminal
• Reconstruction of the 3^rd floor office premises at the North terminal into a business class waiting hall with the space of 866 m²
• Construction of new stairs between the 2^nd and 3^rd floors, and the extension of the elevator one floor higher
• Reconstruction of the internal engineering nets according to the new premise layout

The airport`s operation during the reconstruction work is not being interrupted, and the work is scheduled to be completed in May 2017.

“Latvijas Energoceltnieks” has commenced the construction of a new biofuel cogeneration plant with the electrical capacity of 4.4 MWe and the thermal capacity of 20 MW.

The new cogeneration plant is designed with the heat boiler of 24 MWth heat capacity and the efficiency coefficient – 88.11 %. The boiler is manufactured by the Danish company “Justsen Energiteknik”. The produced steam is supplied to the steam turbine of the Romanian production “General Turbo”, which, in turn, drives the electric generator, producing the electricity.

The steam produced by the turbine is supplied to the heat exchanger, which heats up the water in the district heating network of Riga that ensures the heat supply for city`s buildings. The remaining steam is condensed and supplied to the boiler, ensuring uninterrupted water circulation.

For the fuel storage purposes closed woodchip storage with 8m high reinforced concrete walls shall be built.

The new biofuel cogeneration plant will ensure:

• More efficient use of fuel
• Reduction of emissions
• Lower energy production costs
• Reduction of heat losses
• Promotion of regional development, using local fuel.

The procurement contract for the engineering and construction of the 3rd stage of high-voltage power transmission line “Kurzeme Ring” announced by JSC “Augstsprieguma tīkls” has been awarded to the general partnership “LEC, RECK un Empower”, with SIA “LEC” as the leading contractor.

In 2016 it is planned to develop the engineering and at present the following activities are on-going:

• Route marking;
• Development of support structures;
• Support layout planning along the route;
• Preparation of technical design content and submission to municipalities;
• Commencement of geological research.

“Kurzeme Ring” is a power infrastructure project, within the frames of which a 330 kV OH high-voltage power transmission line in the Western part of Latvia shall be built in order to eliminate the up to now missing connection capacity in Kurzeme. In line with the “Kurzeme Ring” power transmission line development and construction, “Augstsprieguma tīkls” will also modernize the substations “Sloka”, “Dzintari” and “Priedaine”, and the inlets of existing OH lines or connections in Jūrmala. A research is being performed on the necessity for construction of new substations in Dubulti and Vaivari, and for capacity increase in Priedaine as well, in order to satisfy the growing demand and guarantee safe power supply.

The commencement of the construction work is planned for the beginning of 2017.

The project implementation end date is planned for July 2019.

The project work comprises the reconstruction of 110kV and 400kV equipment, which significantly will improve the efficiency of power supply

• Substation Ventspils 110kV
• Substation Viskaļi 110kV
• Substation Isokankaan 400kV (Finland)
• Substation Bolderāja 2
• Substation Daugavpils, reconstruction of 10kV and 20 kV switchgear units

The new, updated equipment, as well as the technical solutions will comply with the growing requirements of the energy industry and the environment. As a result of the investments, the interruptions in the power supply will be reduced and simultaneously the safety of power supply process will be strengthened, thus the growing consumer requirements towards the energy quality will be met.

On this day Rodrigo Gruntmanis, the 12th class student of Kuldiga Centre Secondary school, was given an opportunity to spend the day in the working environment of Latvijas Energoceltnieks and learn what could a regular workday look like, if he would choose to study the engineering sciences.

During the job shadowing the young man had the excursion around the office of Latvijas Energoceltnieks and was introduced to the administrative staff – department directors, project managers and other office personnel. Rodrigo was also given a chance to participate in a project meeting, see the company`s machinery and vehicles, so he would have a conception of how wide is the activity field of Latvijas Energoceltnieks.

Latvijas Energoceltnieks is proud that it had the opportunity to welcome the determined young man and show him the wide work specifics of engineering sciences, as well as the variety of the responsibilities.

The hydropower plants of the Daugava river in Latvia are the most important power infrastructure sites, which will be completely reconstructed with the investments of JSC “Latvenergo” reaching 200 million euros. With the replacement of all hydropower units Latvia will have the economic benefit at least for the next 40 years, increasing the capacity and raising the efficiency of power production.

During the large reconstruction project of Riga HPP it is planned to refurbish the outdated equipment, increasing the operational safety and raising the efficiency of the HPP. The HPP efficiency indicators are expected to improve already while the reconstruction is on-going, but after the completion the annual production of the Riga HPP will grow at least by 20 GWh. The target of the reconstruction is to ensure a safe, effective, lasting and competitive operation of the Riga HPP in the common electric power system – open electricity market. The replacement of the hydropower units at the Riga HPP shall be completed by 1 April 2022.

Latvijas Energoceltnieks is proud to take part in this large–scale project, where it has undertaken to perform the refurbishment of 6 Riga HPP hydropower units within 7 years.

Latvijas Energoceltnieks is proud of its participation in the construction of new 400kV overhead power line.

A completely new 400kV overhead power line has been installed, establishing a connection between Lithuania and Poland. Latvijas Energoceltnieks performed pulling of conductors (3 conductors per phase ), installation of spacers and dumpers and connection of conductors in loops of tension towers. The total length of the installed route – 10.896 km.

Until now 330kV power lines were used for the power transmission in electrical networks of the Baltic countries.

The work was carried out in the time period from 7 September, 2015 till 30 October, 2015.

The company gained invaluable experience, enhancing its capacity and strenghtening its position in the market for participation in new projects.

On November 16 in Riga in Krievu Island a festive ceremony was held by the Freeport of Riga, celebrating the completion of most ambitious infrastructure project of the Freeport of Riga. With the execution of 6 kV power supply construction for shore connection SIA „Latvijas Energoceltnieks” has made its contribution in the implementation of the ambitious project.

On November 12 at Smiltene Technical college an official opening was held for the buildings and study programs, reconstructed and modernised within an EU-financed project. SIA „Latvijas Energoceltnieks” performed reconstruction work in five buildings, establishing a complex college study facility. Smiltene Technical college is considered to be one of the most state-of-the-art professional education institutions in Vidzeme region.