RIGA, Sept 2 (LETA) - Residents of Riga will see their heating tariffs rise by 40 percent from October, Rigas Siltums reported today.

LETA already reported that Rigas Siltums plans to raise heating tariffs in the capital from October 2. The final thermal energy tariff is planned to be increased from the existing EUR 85.45 to EUR 170.59 per MWh without value added tax. Within the framework of the tariff, the most significant increase is planned for the heat energy production component - by 118 percent. 

Rigas Siltums reminded that half of the price hike over EUR 68 per MWh will be compensated by state support to households. This means that after compensation, households will see heating tariffs rise by 40 percent from the current EUR 85.45 to EUR 119.30 per MWh.

Of all the heating energy consumed by Riga, Rigas Siltums generated 20 percent, and 70 percent are bought from independent producers. The most significant producer is Latvenergo, who has confirmed the tariffs for its thermal power plants - TEC-1 and TEC-2 - at EUR 185-190 per MWh.

As reported, the Public Utilities Commission has approved new thermal energy tariffs for Latvenergo thermal power stations, which will be several times higher than the current ones and affect heating tariffs in Riga.