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LVM to Produce an Additional Amount of Energy Chips for This Year's Heating Season

 As the demand for energy products in the local market continues to grow, JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) will increase the volumes of energy wood production and produce an additional 180 thousand loose cubic metres of energy chips in 2022/2023 for the needs of this year's heating season.

Chairman of the Supervisory Board of LVM Edmunds Beļskis: “LVM is a responsible member of society that is aware of its important role in the sustainable management of Latvia's strategic assets and in balancing the economic, social and environmental needs of society. The LVM Supervisory Board has reviewed and supported the plan prepared by the company's Board to increase the production of energy chips. It is planned to produce up to 30 % more energy chips, providing support for the upcoming heating season.”

“This summer will be tense for “Latvia's State Forests”. We have started preparing additional amounts of energy wood. The sales process and the conclusion of contracts are planned for July and August, in order to start the supply of energy chips from September onwards according to the schedule agreed with the buyers. Any heat production company will be able to apply,” says Edvīns Zakovics, Member of the Board of LVM.

LVM produces energy chips from tree biomass – both from felling residues, such as twigs, tops, cuttings, small trees, needles, and from overgrowth and small wood that remains in the forest after harvesting roadsides and ditches and tending for young stands. Energy wood must dry naturally for 3 to 6 months after preparation to reach the optimum energy value at the time of burning and to be suitable for immediate use in the production of heat.

In 2021, JSC “Latvia's State Forests” sold 6.83 million cubic metres of wood, including an assortment of 6.64 million cubic metres of round timber, and 591.8 thousand megawatt-hours of wood chips. In 2021, reforestation and afforestation of forest or plantations were carried out on 17.8 thousand hectares, of which 12.2 thousand hectares were planted. Natural regeneration of the forest has taken place in 5.5 thousand hectares, young stands have been cultivated in an area of 31.7 thousand hectares.