Last week, the gas transmission company Conexus Baltic Grid announced that the Inčukalns gas storage facility was filled at 80%. Now there is even more gas in storage, so Latvia's stocks are ready for the winter season.
"For the given moment, 88.6 percent has been pumped into Inčukalns [gas storage], so we're fully prepared for this winter, that's over 20.2 terawatt hours. We used 9 [terawatt hours] last year, averaging around 12-14 per season. Consequently, we are one hundred percent ready for this winter and the injection period is still ongoing. Must be fully secure that there will be no problem this winter," said Melnis.
Melnis also said future reserves were being worked on. At the same time, he reiterated that he does not see any economic necessity and justification why the Latvian state should participate in the development of the liquefied natural gas terminal of Skulte.
He said: "There is enough capacity in regional terminals for the given moment. There are also reserved capacities left over, where there is potential for someone else to plug in and inject. Consequently, the question of our own terminal must be seen as how much it will cost us, the economic rationale. For the given moment [there is no need]."
