Plizio Visual Lab

Jelgava Bioenergy Center

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Jelgava Bioenergy Center is anchored by the Gren (formerly Fortum) biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plant, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Baltic region. Officially commissioned in 2013, the plant represents a milestone in Latvia's pursuit of energy independence. It primarily utilizes wood biomass as fuel, sourced from local forests as wood chips and from industrial wood residues. With an installed thermal capacity of 45 MW and an electrical output of 23 MW, the station supplies district heating to the majority of Jelgava and feeds electricity into the national grid. The total investment for the project exceeded 70 million euros. By employing advanced filtration technologies and high-efficiency cogeneration, the plant drastically reduces CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuel alternatives. The center also supports the regional economy by maintaining a steady demand for biomass. Jelgava stands as a flagship project for sustainable municipal energy concepts within Northern Europe.

Location: Latvia
Top sights: Jelgavas Svētās Trīsvienības baznīcas tornis · Jelgavas kultūras nams · Lāčplēša pieminekļa fragments
Nearby: Bērze (19 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	-5	-5	-1	6	12	16	18	17	13	6	2	-2
Rain mm	50	42	40	44	52	74	81	74	52	67	64	53

📋 Practical info

🏭

What is this place?

The Jelgava Bioenergy Center is a pioneer in Latvia in using biomass for energy generation, supplying the city with modern district heating. It processes agricultural residues and wood chips into eco-friendly heat and electricity.

🚪

Visiting

The facility is generally not open to the public as it is an industrial heating plant. From the nearby road or footpath along the Lielupe river, one can see the buildings and chimneys.

👀

Where to view it

A good viewpoint is the bridge over the Lielupe near the plant, offering a wide view of the entire site. The opposite riverbank also provides a good view of the facility.

🧺

Local products

The center produces heat and electricity, which cannot be purchased directly. In the city of Jelgava, however, local products such as honey, pastries, and handicrafts are available at the market or farm shops.

📆

Active season

The facility runs all year, but its highest utilization is during the heating season from October to April. During this time, operation is most intense and the waste heat from the process is most noticeable.

➕

Nearby

A visit to the Bioenergy Center can be combined with a walk through historic Jelgava, which has a splendid castle and expansive parks. A boat ride on the Lielupe or a trip to the nearby autoworld of Riga are also recommended.

Geography

Coordinates

56.65170, 23.72500

Facts

The Jelgava biomass CHP plant was officially inaugurated in September 2013.
The total investment cost for the facility was approximately 70 million euros.
The plant has a designated thermal capacity of 45 megawatts (MW).
The electrical output of the facility is 23 megawatts (MW).
Approximately 85% of Jelgava's district heating is generated by this plant.
The facility consumes around 200,000 tonnes of biomass annually.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Gederts Eliass History Museum<1 km · SEExplore →

Yanqul Copper Mine14 km · SWExplore →

Priedaine Hill18 km · NWExplore →

Bērze19 km · WExplore →

Olaine Pharmaceutical Hub20 km · NEExplore →

Augstzeme Highland22 km · WExplore →

Bērze Rise23 km · WExplore →

Bērze Church23 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Jelgava Bioenergy Center (10)

Jelgavas Svētās Trīsvienības baznīcas tornis 🏛 museum

Museum in the tower of Holy Trinity Church in Jelgava.

🕒 10:00-17:00

Jelgavas kultūras nams

Community cultural house in Jelgava for events.

Lāčplēša pieminekļa fragments

Fragment of the Lāčplēsis monument in Jelgava.

LBTU Studentu teātris

Student theatre of LBTU in Jelgava.

🌐 jst.lv

Academia Petrina🏛 museum

Historic school and gymnasium in Jelgava, Latvia.

Jelgavas Svētā Simeona un Svētās Annas pareizticīgo katedrāle

Orthodox church in Jelgava, Latvia.

JELGAVA

Tourist attraction in the city of Jelgava.

Svētās Annas evaņģēliski luteriskā baznīca

Evangelical Lutheran church in Jelgava, Latvia.

Leļļu teātris

Puppet theatre in Jelgava.

Jelgavas Pils

Château in Jelgava, Latvia.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What does the Jelgava Bioenergy Center produce?

It uses wood chips to generate district heating and electricity for the city.

Is the facility environmentally friendly?

Yes, through CO2-neutral biomass, it reduces dependence on fossil fuels.

Can the facility be seen from the outside?

Yes, the modern building complex is clearly visible from the main road.

Who operates the center?

It is operated by the company Gren (formerly Fortum).

What else can be visited in Jelgava?

Jelgava Palace, the largest Baroque palace in the Baltics, is a must-see.

Jelgava Bioenergy Center: where is it located?

Jelgava Bioenergy Center is located in Latvia.

Jelgava Bioenergy Center: what is there to see?

Highlights include Jelgavas Svētās Trīsvienības baznīcas tornis, Jelgavas kultūras nams, Lāčplēša pieminekļa fragments.

Jelgava Bioenergy Center: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Jelgava Bioenergy Center: why is it worth visiting?

The Jelgava Bioenergy Center is anchored by the Gren (formerly Fortum) biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plant, one of the largest facilities of its kind in the Baltic region.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

Jelgava Bioenergy Center

Best time to visit & climate