The Latvian transmission system operator AS "Augstsprieguma tīkls" (AST) informs that the construction of the building "Jāņciems" of Latvia’s power system main dispatcher control and data centre has been completed and the fitting-out works have been commenced. The project, financed by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility, is essential for the secure and stable operation of the power system.

Photo – Rūdolfs Liepiņš

(From left): Minister for Climate and Energy Jānis Vitenbergs, Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of AST Olga Bogdanova and Chairman of the Management Board of AST Rolands Irklis, symbolically marking the start of the fitting-out works of the new building by planting an apple tree. 

"Although the Baltic states have already completed a historic phase by disconnecting from the Russian electricity system and joining the European network, work on strengthening our power system continues. The new dispatcher control and data centre is one of the final key infrastructure elements of this project, concluding the infrastructure modernisation phase in Latvia. The centre has been built in accordance with enhanced security requirements, taking into account the changing geopolitical situation, and Latvia’s electricity transmission system – the backbone of our power supply – will be monitored and operated from it in real time. Its security and resilience are prerequisites for uninterrupted electricity supply and the stable operation of critical infrastructure," emphasises Minister for Climate and Energy Jānis Vitenbergs.

"The site where Latvia’s main dispatcher control and data centre "Jāņciems" is currently located has a close connection with the history of AST. It was here in 1939 that the first transmission line from the then newly constructed Ķegums Hydropower Plant was built. Since then, the energy sector has undergone significant development and transformation. Today, we cannot imagine our society functioning without a secure and stable electricity supply. The electricity system has become larger, more modern and also more complex. Accordingly, the scope of AST’s responsibilities and competencies has significantly expanded, and work on new modern solutions that improve system efficiency, stability and security continues. The newly built dispatcher control and data centre will not only provide premises and electricity transmission system services compliant with modern requirements, but will also symbolically mark a new era in the operation of AST and Latvia’s power system," emphasises Chairman of the Management Board of AST Rolands Irklis.

Within the framework of the project, a new, modern dispatcher control and data centre that meets modern security requirements has been constructed in Riga, complementing the warehouse and production buildings previously built within the complex. As part of the project, by autumn 2027 a new transport unit building and a checkpoint will be constructed to ensure access for operational field brigades and employees of transmission line and substation services.

This is a critically important project for the secure management of the power system; in 2022 it was granted the status of an object of national interest and is included in the ten-year development plan of the AST electricity transmission system approved by the Public Utilities Commission.

Prior to reconstruction, the production base at 86 Dārzciema Street comprised around 40 buildings, ranging from equipment repair facilities and an inspection laboratory to transformer oil facilities and specialised transport maintenance premises. These buildings were mainly constructed between the 1930s and 1960s, with the newest built in the 1990s. Due to the wear of the structures, it was economically more justified to demolish most of them and build anew, while about one-third required substantial reconstruction for further operation. The new project will significantly reduce energy resource consumption.

Photo – Rūdolfs Liepiņš

(From left): Chairman of the Management Board of SIA "NEWCOM Construction" Mārtiņš Bubens, Member of the Management Board of AST Arnis Daugulis, Chairman of the Management Board of AST Rolands Irklis, Minister for Climate and Energy Jānis Vitenbergs, Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of AST Olga Bogdanova and AST "Jāņciems" Project Manager Vladislavs Visockis. 

For the implementation of this significant project, EUR 38.1 million in funding from the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility has been attracted, of which EUR 27 million is allocated for the construction of the dispatcher control and data centre and reconstruction of the production base territory and building complex, while EUR 11.1 million is dedicated to information systems infrastructure and digitalisation of network management, with the project having virtually no impact on the electricity transmission tariff.

The construction of the dispatcher control and data centre "Jāņciems" and the reconstruction of the production base territory and building complex are carried out by SIA "NEWCOM Construction" in accordance with the procurement procedure conducted and the contract concluded with AST.