District heating prices rise across Estonia this autumn, most sharply in Narva

District heating prices in Estonia are rising this autumn, but the increase differs sharply by region: from roughly 1% in Tartu in the south to more than 30% in Narva in the east, according to public broadcaster ERR. For residents of apartment buildings, this means higher heating bills over the winter, with the size of the rise depending on where they live.

Evelin Pärn-Lee, Director General of Estonia's Competition Authority, said it is hard to say how much heating costs for apartment buildings will rise on average. She said the price in Tartu is increasing by about 1.1%, in Pärnu by nearly 14%, in Tallinn by 8.5% and in Narva by more than 30%. Tariffs differ widely because the heating networks differ, and those published on the authority's website range from €53 to €150.

Narva awaits permission to use shale oil

Narva relies solely on natural gas for district heating, which is expensive. The price will depend on whether the company Enefit Power can supply heat to the city using shale oil. Narva Mayor Jaan Toots (Center Party) said a conditional special permit has been received from the Environmental Board, but Enefit Power is still seeking clarification of the exact conditions for using the oil. If it is used, the price would fall to around €65 per megawatt-hour, compared with €137 with gas today. The average winter price would then be around €90.

Tallinn increase from mid-November

Energy company Utilitas said a rise of up to 10% is expected in nearly half of its district heating areas. At the end of last week, the Competition Authority approved a new maximum price in Tallinn of €84 per megawatt-hour. Robert Kitt, chairman of the management board of Utilitas Eesti, said the price of natural gas has more than doubled over the past year, wood chips have become more expensive and energy from the Iru plant now costs more. The Tallinn price will rise by 8.5% from mid-November.

Utilitas hopes to obtain a special permit to use oil shale and to launch the Paljassaare heat pump plant. In that case, the price would not rise any further.