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The Latvian electricity supply trilemma of security, social equity, and the environment has been dynamically changing. Subsequent to the state regaining independence in 1991, substantial changes have taken place in the Latvian energy sector. Through the use of loans made available by international institutions, the major power plants have been reconstructed, utilising the most modern available technologies. The requirements and stipulations set out in the European Union directives have been incorporated into Latvian law. Electricity prices and the pricing principles have approached those in other European countries. As the market has been gradually developing, Latvian electricity consumers have gained the option of selecting their electricity supplier. Several mechanisms have been established for protecting consumers' interests, including the Public Utilities Commission, the Ombudsman and others. Latvia can be proud of its outstanding environmental preservation results in the field of electricity supply. Latvia is among the "greenest" countries in the world with regard to electricity generation. Renewable energy resources, including at the Daugava HPPs, provide 65% of the electricity generation in the country. Latvia is among the three best-performing EU countries with the lowest amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

In May, the Legislative Council passed the Electricity Supply Lines (Protection) Regulation (the 'Regulation'). It will have a significant effect upon contractors carrying out work in the vicinity of underground electricity cables or overhead electricity supply lines. Our regular contributor Professor Arthur McInnis looks at the Regulation. ; published_or_final_version

Today's modern society depends on a number of infrastructures to operate. Failures in these systems cause significant economic impacts and can also endanger the lives and health of the population. The high importance of these infrastructures has led them to increasing attention in recent years and are referred to as critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure in the energy sector is considered to be one of the most important infrastructure networks significantly entering into ensuring the functional continuity of the society. Its importance is also perceived in terms of interconnections and correlations with other critical infrastructure sectors as well as in terms of electricity interconnectivity in Europe, as in the interconnected European system the effects are spreading across the systems of all single country transmission system operators very quickly. For these reasons, the European Union considers this sector to be strategic and of European importance. The aim of the article is to clarify the primary causes of disruption of large-scale electricity supply and their impact on the functioning of society, focusing on the vulnerability of urbanized large settlements-urban agglomerations – in the event of long-lasting blackout disturbances. It contains a presentation of the importance of electricity for society, definition and analysis of the causes of disruption of large-scale electricity supply continuity, consequences of large-scale blackout on community functioning and its basic functions and current knowledge on vulnerability of large urban agglomerations to long-term disruption of electricity supply and possible solutions.

Today's modern society depends on a number of infrastructures to operate. Failures in these systems cause significant economic impacts and can also endanger the lives and health of the population. The high importance of these infrastructures has led them to increasing attention in recent years and are referred to as critical infrastructure. Critical infrastructure in the energy sector is considered to be one of the most important infrastructure networks significantly entering into ensuring the functional continuity of the society. Its importance is also perceived in terms of interconnections and correlations with other critical infrastructure sectors as well as in terms of electricity interconnectivity in Europe, as in the interconnected European system the effects are spreading across systems of all single country transmission system operators very quickly. For these reasons, the European Union considers this sector to be strategic and of European importance. The aim of the article is to clarify the primary causes of disruption of large-scale electricity supply and their impact on the functioning of society, focusing on the vulnerability of urbanized large settlements - urban agglomerations in the event of long-lasting blackout disturbances. It contains a presentation of the importance of electricity for society, definition and analysis of the causes of disruption of large-scale electricity supply continuity, consequences of large-scale blackout on community functioning and its basic functions and current knowledge on vulnerability of large urban agglomerations to long-term disruption of electricity supply and possible solutions.