RIGA, Jan 30 (LETA) - In order to provide support to residents during the cold winter months and reduce the financial burden on households, from January 1 to May 31 this year Riga municipal heating company Rigas Siltums will not apply contractual penalties for late payments for heat energy supplied between December 2025 and April 2026, Ivo Valdovskis, head of the company's Strategic Communications Department, told LETA.

In addition, until May 31, the company will also offer the opportunity to settle debts incurred in previous periods without applying contractual penalties. Previously calculated contractual penalties will be canceled upon payment of the bill.

As reported, Riga City Council Executive Director Janis Lange called on municipal companies not to apply late payment fees until the end of the heating season.

This is due to the extremely cold air temperatures in January and the sharp increase in heat energy consumption.

Heat energy consumption in Riga could increase by 59 percent in January, according to forecasts by Rigas Siltums. The company notes that January this year will be the coldest January in the last 15 years and the second coldest January in the company's history.

Municipal water company Rigas Udens has also announced that it will not be applying penalties for late payment of bills.