OREANDA-NEWS. The Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia has announced an energy crisis in the country until December 31 in the supply of petroleum products. This was reported by the Latvian news agency LETA, citing a government decree.

It is noted that the country has allowed the release to the market of "reserves for the safety of petroleum products" and establishes the obligation of holders of reserves of petroleum products to prepare them for release. At the same time, licensed retailers of petroleum products, as well as suppliers of critical services, have the right to apply to the State Bureau of Construction Control (GBCS) for permission to purchase petroleum products from security reserves.

It is clarified that the State Energy Crisis Center will be the institution responsible for coordinating activities during the period of the state energy crisis in the field of supply of petroleum products.

At the beginning of 2017, the Energy Security Center (a structural division of NATO) prepared a secret report on the risks of the energy dependence of the Baltic countries on supplies from Russia. In this regard, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania held a series of consultations and in September 2017 decided to withdraw from the BRELL energy ring (Belarus, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) by 2025. The Baltic countries intend to connect to the energy system of continental Europe, which will allow them to achieve energy independence from the Russian Federation.

Earlier, Lavtian Economy Minister Janis Vitenbergs said that natural gas would not be purchased from Russia. The gas is planned to be stored in the Inčukalns underground gas storage facility. According to him, Latvia will create a reserve of natural gas with a volume of 2 TWh to reduce the risk of desynchronization of the electricity supply system.