Estonia energy report

• Estonia aims to limit the share of oil shale in its energy consumption and power generation.
• Eesti Energia dominates the power sector with over 85% of generation, over 95% of distribution, and around 60% of total sales.
• Eesti Energia is the main oil shale producer.
• The share of oil shale in the power mix has been reduced from 86% in 2010 to 48% in 2020.
• Prices of electricity and gas for households are around 40% below the EU averages.
• Oil shale dominates the energy mix (57% in 2020), with 2/3 used in power generation and 1/3 used to produce fuel.
• The development of wind power projects is the main priority of Estonia's strategy, with many offshore projects.
• After failing to reach an agreement with Finland, Estonia is developing several LNG terminal projects.

• Institutions & Energy Policy

  The Department of Energy of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications is responsible for the energy policy.

  The Estonian Competition Authority regulates the energy sector and reports to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.

• Energy Companies

  Oil:

  Four main operators are involved in the supply, trading, and logistics of oil: Alexela, Vopak EOS, Scantrans (Ireland) and Eurodek (Denmark). Alexela operates two oil terminals: one in Paldiski with an oil storage capacity of about 358 000 m³ and one in Sillamäe with a storage capacity of about 506 000 m³. In 2019, Vopak sold its 1 mcm terminal in Tallinn to Liwathon.

• Energy Supply

  Gas:

  Natural gas imports, which averaged 1 bcm between 2005 and 2008, fell until 2015 (471 mcm). Since then, gas imports have remained broadly stable at around 500 mcm (-8% to 447 mcm in 2020).

• Energy Prices

  Oil:

  Retail fuel prices in Estonia evolve in line with global prices and have rebounded in 2021, reaching €1.34€ for gasoline and €1.14€ for diesel. Prices tripled between 2000 and 2012 and contracted until 2016, before recovering until 2018. Taxes account for more than half of the price (59% for gasoline and 50% for diesel in 2021). Prices are slightly lower than the EU average.

• Energy Consumption

  Total energy consumption per capita is about 3.3 toe/cap (2020), i.e. 13% above the EU average. This is mainly due to the high share of oil shale, since it requires a significant amount of energy to be processed: in 2019, the fall in oil shale-fired power generation resulted in a 24% fall in the energy consumption per capita.

• Issues & Prospects

  Electricity:

  According to Elering, electricity consumption should rise by 1.1%/year between 2015 and 2030, reaching 9.6 TWh; peak demand should grow more slowly and reach 1 700 MW. By this date, the installed capacity should decrease by more than 500 MW, due to the decommissioning of thermal capacities at the Narva power plants as of 2024.

• GENERAL OVERVIEW
• INSTITUTIONS AND ENERGY POLICY
• ENERGY COMPANIES
• ENERGY SUPPLY
• ENERGY PRICES
• ENERGY CONSUMPTION
• ISSUES AND PROSPECTS
• DATA TABLES
• ABBREVIATIONS
• GLOSSARY

Download the Table of Contents

Below is a list of the Estonia energy market report graphs:

• GRAPH 1: CO₂-energy emissions (MtCO₂)
• GRAPH 2: Installed electric capacity by source (2020, %)
• GRAPH 3: Gross power production by source (TWh)
• GRAPH 4: Power generation by source (2020, %)
• GRAPH 5: Gasoline & diesel prices (€/l)
• GRAPH 6: Electricity prices for industry and households (€c/kWh)
• GRAPH 7: Gas prices for industry and households (€c/kWh GCV)
• GRAPH 8: Consumption trends by energy source (Mtoe)
• GRAPH 9: Total consumption market share by energy (2020, %)
• GRAPH 10: Final consumption market share by sector (2020 %)
• GRAPH 11: Oil consumption (Mt)
• GRAPH 12: Oil consumption breakdown by sector (2020, %)
• GRAPH 13: Electricity consumption (TWh)
• GRAPH 14: Electricity consumption breakdown by sector (2020,%)
• GRAPH 15: Natural gas consumption (bcm)
• GRAPH 16: Gas consumption breakdown by sector (2020, %)
• GRAPH 17: Oil shale consumption (Mt)
• GRAPH 18: Oil shale consumption breakdown by sector (2020, %)

In the Estonia energy market report you will find the following tables:

• Economic Indicators: Annual historical data including population, GDP growth, imports and exports, inflation rate, energy security and efficiency indicators, CO₂ emissions.
• Supply Indicators: Historical data including oil and gas reserves, electric and refining capacity, energy production, power production and external trade. All are detailed by energy source.
• Demand Indicators: Historical data including consumption per inhabitant, consumption trends, total consumption by energy source, final consumption by energy source and sector, and electricity consumption by sector.
• Energy Balances: Single table displaying the overall energy industry balance per annum, also graphically displayed by energy sub-segment.
• Infrastructure Projects: Covers power plant projects by energy, technology, status and operator, gas plant projects by status and operator and LNG contracts.