Waste heat is increasingly mentioned as a resource that could significantly complement district heating systems and reduce the use of fossil fuels. In Latvia, this potential is also considerable; however, its practical utilisation is far from straightforward. It is closely linked to specific conditions, including the location of heat sources, the available heat carrier temperature, and economic feasibility. The assessment of these aspects and the analysis of real-life examples were the main focus of the Green4HEAT project’s online regional stakeholder meeting held on 27 March 2026.
Waste heat is generated as a by-product of various processes in industry, commercial and public buildings, including hospitals, sports and leisure complexes with swimming pools, as well as data centres. Such heat is often produced through continuous cooling, ventilation or water preparation processes, yet in practice it is rarely integrated into district heating systems.
One of the key factors determining the feasibility of using waste heat in district heating is the distance between the heat source and the boiler house or district heating network. The greater the distance, the higher the investment required for pipeline construction and the greater the heat losses, which in many cases makes the project economically unviable.
An additional challenge in the Latvian context is the limited number of large-scale heat sources, especially outside major cities. Unlike Northern European countries, where data centres are often identified as significant and stable sources of waste heat, the situation in Latvia is different, with fewer such facilities in operation. According to industry experts, one of the main reasons is that electricity prices in other countries are currently more competitive for the development of energy-intensive facilities.
In Salaspils, a solution is currently being developed that would allow waste heat generated by a data centre to be used in the district heating system. “We always look at energy as a resource that may be surplus for one party but highly valuable for another. A data centre must be cooled, while for us this waste heat is exactly what can be used in district heating. This cooperation makes it possible to combine cooling and heat production within one system, creating benefits for both sides,” emphasises Ilze Siliņa, Head of the Energy Efficiency Department at Salaspils Siltums Ltd.
“At the same time, our development vision is based on sustainability and the gradual electrification of heat supply. Renewable energy sources already dominate heat production, while the next step is a shift towards zero-emission technologies. A large share of Europe’s energy consumption is related to heat and transport, and we see strong potential for the centralised electrification of these sectors. In this context, thermal energy storage will also play an important role, ensuring system flexibility and balancing different energy sources in the future,” adds I. Siliņa.
Experience from other countries within the Green4HEAT project shows that the integration of waste heat into district heating networks is most effective in urban areas with well-developed networks and low-temperature systems. At the same time, public buildings can also serve as good examples of local waste heat utilisation.
At Vidzeme Hospital, an assessment has been carried out to identify which processes and equipment within the hospital infrastructure generate excess heat and what its utilisation potential is. “At Vidzeme Hospital, waste heat is generated in several daily processes – laboratory and radiology equipment, server rooms, cooling systems, as well as wastewater. Using, for example, heat pumps, this heat can be utilised for domestic hot water preparation or space heating, particularly in low-temperature heating systems,” explains Arita Krūmiņa, Energy Manager at Vidzeme Hospital Ltd.
The utilisation of waste heat in Latvia is also significantly influenced by the temperature of the heat carrier. In many cases, waste heat is available at low or medium temperatures, requiring additional technological solutions, such as heat pumps, to adapt it to district heating network requirements. This increases investment costs and extends payback periods, which, without targeted support instruments, can become a major barrier to project implementation.
Overall, waste heat is a significant but highly location-specific resource in Latvia. Its effective use requires not universal solutions, but detailed data analysis, an understanding of local conditions, and close cooperation between municipalities, district heating companies and major heat sources.
Green4HEAT regional stakeholder meetings bring together municipal representatives, district heating companies, energy managers, public building operators and other sector stakeholders involved in the planning and development of heat supply on a daily basis. The aim of these meetings is to build a shared understanding of sustainable heating solutions and to identify practically implementable directions at both regional and national levels. At the same time, the stakeholder meetings also serve as a platform for developing proposals for the Vidzeme Planning Region Development Programme for the next planning period, based on the needs identified during discussions and practical experience.
