“Laflora”, one of the largest peat extraction and processing companies in Latvia, has begun the 2026 peat extraction season with the aim of producing 1 million m³ of horticultural peat for the domestic and export markets. In parallel, “Laflora” is managing the construction of AS “Latvenergo”’s “Laflora Energy” wind farm on former peat extraction fields in the Kaigu bog in Jelgava municipality, and in April it began testing the wind farm’s operation in preparation for commissioning in the second half of the year.
“Laflora” extracts horticultural peat across an area of 2,059 ha in the Drabiņu, Kaigu and Viršu bogs it owns in Jelgava municipality, as well as in the Nīcgale bog it manages in Augšdaugava municipality, employing more than 400 people in the regions. Peat products are made both for domestic horticultural use and for export to more than 40 countries worldwide. The company forecasts that extraction volumes will reach 1 million m³ of peat this year, allowing it to meet the steadily growing market demand for horticultural peat.
At the same time, on the former peat extraction fields in its own Kaigu bog, the company is managing the construction of “Latvenergo”’s “Laflora Energy” wind farm together with the construction supervisors “Forma 2”, the wind farm developer “Windy” and the construction company “UPB Nams”, involving more than 14 local companies in total. The wind farm infrastructure and 16 of the most advanced wind turbines in the region have been built, with a total capacity of 108.8 MW – currently the largest wind farm in Latvia. Testing of the wind farm’s turbines began in April – connecting the turbines to the electricity grid and running joint operation tests, which are planned to last two months.
“As we approach the Restoration of Independence Day of Latvia, I want to stress in particular that strengthening national security, resilience and growth is now of decisive importance. The company’s work is founded on responsible bog management – we are developing peat extraction, producing high value-added peat products for horticulture that are in demand around the world, and restoring former peat extraction fields in a unique way by creating the “Laflora Energy” wind farm. It is the largest wind farm in Latvia built with national capital, created through the innovative synergy of local companies and industries, serving not only the country’s energy independence but even more – amid the geopolitical turbulence of recent years – its national security as well. Testing the wind farm is one stage in the project’s implementation before the wind farm is commissioned in the second half of this year,” emphasises Uldis Ameriks, Chairman of the Board of “Laflora”.
Once the wind farm is commissioned, “Laflora” will purchase part of the green electricity generated there for its own use at its peat products plant, as well as for the development of a green industrial zone in the Kaigu bog. By putting less valuable land to economic use, a sustainable production hub will be created and the GHG emissions generated in the peat extraction and processing process will be offset, allowing the company to move towards climate neutrality.
After the “Laflora Energy” wind farm is commissioned, Jelgava municipality and households within a 2 km radius of the wind farm will each year receive a payment of 272,000 euros a year for local community development from the wind farm’s owner, AS “Latvenergo”, with the first payment to be made as early as 2027. A meeting with municipal representatives and residents will be arranged shortly to discuss how the payment will be administered and disbursed. The payment will be made in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 577, “Procedure for wind power plant payments for local community development”.