Cablegate: Latvia Also Interested in Renewable Energy Partnerships

VZCZCXYZ0008
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHRA #0629 2890944
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 150944Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5309
INFO RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 1004
RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 1121
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0571
RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI 1058
RUEHRK/AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK 0066
RUEHTL/AMEMBASSY TALLINN 4206
RUEHVL/AMEMBASSY VILNIUS 3999

UNCLAS RIGA 000629

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG EFIN ETRD LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA ALSO INTERESTED IN RENEWABLE ENERGY PARTNERSHIPS

REF: COPENHAGEN 00538

1. Latvia would be an enthusiastic partner if presented the
opportunity to participate in collaborative efforts to develop
alternative energy. Reftel urges "consideration be given to
involving the Baltic states in some way." Post strongly concurs
with this recommendation and encourages future planning of regional
renewable energy partnerships to actively explore the role Latvia
could play.

2. GOL has independently taken steps to develop a renewable energy
partnership with USG. Latvian officials have visited the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory and are eager to sign a memorandum of
understanding with the U.S. Department of Energy on developing
biomass technology. Officials from the state forestry company see
underutilized Latvian forest resources as having great potential for
developing biomass energy. Private enterprise in Latvia has also
been vocal in seeking Embassy assistance to connect Latvian and U.S.
expertise in biomass energy generation. Furthermore, GOL is
actively developing wind energy capacity in Western Latvia.
Collaborative work on alternative energy research would help achieve
both GOL and USG goals in the region.

LARSON

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