Highlights

Residential sector

A market study of lighting technologies used in the residential sector showed a very limited awareness of the advantages of CFLs in the residential market of Latvia. In 2000, only 22% of the population had even heard of CFLs.

• Two different approaches were used for CFL campaigns in Latvia - a “grassroots” approach for small municipalities and “large town” approach for bigger municipalities.
• The key players were different for each campaign. The innovation champion in the “grassroots approach” is the municipality. It represents the key to success. Another change agent (Ekodoma, in the case of Riga) was needed for campaigns in large cities, because the municipality plays a much smaller role in the daily life of residents of bigger cities, yet residents still need motivation or pushing particularly when changes to their lifestyle are proposed.
• The chances of success are greatly enhanced by a municipal bottom-up or “grassroots” approach, which combines the municipal interest in assisting the citizens with the ELI interest in increasing sales of CFLs. The pilot project showed good results at the local level. The Broceni case where every second household purchased one CFL was the most successful.
• Three years of different CFL campaigns in different municipalities increased residents’ awareness of CFLs. The range of the increase ranged from 3% to 50% mostly depending on the size of the municipality, with smaller awareness in smaller centers increasing more.

ESCO development

• The ESCO concept is commercially viable in Latvia. The preparation work of the ELI Latvia team included information dissemination as well as training and education of both potential ESCOs and ESCO clients. Preparation plays an important role in capacity building.
  
• The first lighting ESCO pilot project has been completed. Wesemann, a local company, is operating as ESCO. The pilot project illustrates the legislative and financial aspects of the problem.

Street Lighting

• The first efficient street lighting project is in the municipality of Tukums. It shows the important role not only of specialists but also the role that municipal leaders play. These kinds of projects are the result of the teamwork.
  
• The legal aspects of performance contracting have been tested in the pilot project in Latvia and found to be workable.
  
• The campaign became a spotlight of public and mass media, remarkable amount of material was published and interviews were given, as well in most powerful mediums in Latvia. Some translated press releases you can find attached.
  
  
  

  	Press Release 1 Information campaign on efficient lighting is started - October 16, 2002
  	Press Release 2 The international program Efficient lighting initiative concludes in Latvia - 22 of April, 2003