As one of Denmark’s largest pension funds, Sampension is extending its reach into renewable energy. They are about to gain a 50% interest in the Saldus project in Latvia. This investment fits with Sampension’s strategy to provide stable and attractive long-term returns to its members. Independently, it will play a huge role in helping Europe achieve its ambitious green transition. Contractor construction mobilization for the project began July 2025. It’s slated to be done by May 2026 and will produce renewable electricity for the Latvian electrical grid.
Latvia has committed to producing 57% of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030. This lofty aim is in line with the IEA’s recently released Net-zero by 2050 roadmap. The country is experiencing increasing pressure for new renewable energy sources. This move is aimed to meet the pressing demand to stop dependence on energy imports. The Saldus project will do more than increase Latvia’s energy independence; it will help the country achieve its ambitious sustainability targets.
Enhancing Power System Flexibility
The Saldus demonstration project includes a 65MW solar photovoltaic (PV) facility integrated with a 46MW battery energy storage system (BESS). This connected smart cities approach provides much-needed additional flexibility to the local power system, allowing wider and deeper coordination of energy supply and demand.
As Torbjørn Lange, head of real estate and infrastructure at Sampension, told us Focus on the long-term. He stated,
“Investments in renewable energy are an important part of Sampension’s strategy to deliver stable, long-term returns to our members while contributing to the green transition.”
This declaration marks a major step by Sampension to move beyond purely financial profit in favor of environmental wellbeing as well.
A Step Toward Sustainable Investment
Sampension, a large Danish pension fund, is investing in the Saldus project. This investment is a central element of their plans to accelerate renewable energy development across the entire Baltic Sea region. Renewables portfolio Sampension is diversifying its renewables portfolio, adding solar-generation and energy-storage capabilities. This strategy furthers the company’s long-term goal of becoming a leader in the rapidly expanding renewable energy market.
Jens-Peter Zink, Deputy CEO of European Energy, which is developing the project, told pv magazine how important this decision is.
“This divestment is a clear example of our ability to take large-scale renewable energy projects from development through construction and into the hands of long-term institutional investors.”
These findings indicate the mounting strength of a trend in sustainable investments. Today, businesses are prioritizing both providing strong returns and having a positive environmental contribution.
“The capital recycled from projects like Saldus enables us to expand our pipeline of wind, solar, and hybrid projects across Europe.”
As construction advances on the Saldus project, its completion will represent a real breakthrough for Latvia’s renewable energy sector. Infrastructure projects like this one play a major role in us reaching those national targets. Beyond that, it will establish a powerful model for future clean energy investments.
Future Prospects for Renewable Energy in Latvia
The need for action on climate change has never been more urgent. It’s these kinds of initiatives that make all the difference in helping a more sustainable energy sector take root. Sampension and European Energy join forces to demonstrate a sunny outlook for institutional investors. This creative partnership strikes a balance between a focus on profit with a focus on sustainability.
With the increasing urgency to combat climate change, such initiatives play a crucial role in fostering sustainable practices within the energy sector. The collaboration between Sampension and European Energy demonstrates a promising pathway for institutional investors looking to balance profitability with environmental responsibility.