Estonia's grid chief: energy plan is set, now coordinated decisions are key
The head of Estonia's grid operator Elering outlines how the country plans to secure electricity supply even during cold, windless periods, stressing coordinated roles among all involved parties.
Elering chief Jaanus Uiga says Estonia's energy plan rests on the long-term development strategy ENMAK 2035, approved earlier this year, which sets the direction for the energy system through 2035. Under it, Elering assesses overall system needs and develops the main grid, distribution companies build local networks, municipalities make planning decisions, and companies develop projects and make investment decisions. The state steps in only where the market alone cannot deliver a needed solution.
Renewable energy auction
Estonia's sixth renewable electricity auction drew nine bids from seven companies, together offering 990 gigawatt-hours per year — about 12 percent of the country's current annual electricity consumption. Elering will check the bids against requirements, with the government approving final results. This auction closes the state-supported renewable procurement stage envisioned by the strategy; further growth is meant to rely on market investment without operating subsidies.
Dispatchable capacity and crisis resilience
Elering estimates Estonia will need about 2,100 megawatts of dispatchable capacity by 2035, as oil shale power plants — which have long carried this role — near the end of their service life. To strengthen crisis resilience, Elering plans to invest more than 200 million euros beyond regular capital spending between 2026 and 2030, while distribution operator Elektrilevi estimates it will need roughly 350 million euros for the same purpose over the coming decade.
Large-scale growth projects
Uiga stresses that major undertakings such as an offshore wind farm, a nuclear plant, or a pumped-storage station must be assessed separately from routine system needs, since their output can exceed Estonia's domestic market demand. For comparison, UK electricity consumption in 2025 was about 323 terawatt-hours versus Estonia's 8.3 terawatt-hours. Backing such projects requires demonstrating economic benefit and an independent technical and financial review before any binding decision is made.
