In January, the heating energy consumption in Riga surged by 60% compared to December due to significantly lower temperatures.
In Riga, as temperatures dropped in January, the heating energy consumption skyrocketed to 637,000 megawatt-hours, marking a 60% increase from December's consumption of 399,200 megawatt-hours. The data was provided by Ivo Valdovskis, head of the Strategic Communications Department at AS RΔ«gas siltums. A breakdown of the energy usage shows that in analyzing 5,216 residential buildings connected to the centralized heating system, 56% experienced a rise in consumption between 40% and 60% compared to December, while nearly 38% saw an increase of 60% to 80%. This indicates a strong correlation between outside temperatures and the technical state of buildings.
The average outdoor temperature in December 2025 was recorded at 2.8 degrees Celsius, contrasting sharply with January's average of minus 7.8 degrees Celsius. This drastic change not only highlights the impact of weather on energy consumption but also emphasizes the challenges faced by residents and infrastructure in maintaining adequate heating during severe cold spells. Furthermore, only 2% of buildings saw a consumption increase of less than 40% during this period, suggesting that the majority of residential buildings struggled to maintain their heating efficacy in the face of the extreme weather conditions.
This data prompts considerations about the infrastructure's capability to handle fluctuations in weather and the potential need for improvements in building insulation and heating system efficiency. As Riga faces severe winter conditions, discussions on how to enhance residential heating solutions may become increasingly crucial to ensure comfort and energy conservation during the colder months.
