Estonia puts energy storage project into operation

Where is Estonia's largest battery storage facility located?

The flagship battery storage project commenced operations on February 1, only days before cutting ties with the Russian power grid. Estonian state-owned energy company Eesti Energia has inaugurated the nation’s largest battery energy storage facility at the Auvere industrial complex in Ida-Viru County.

Could Estonia build a nuclear plant?

Eesti Energia, Estonia’s state-owned energy company, considered building a nuclear plant are part of a joint venture with Latvia and Lithuania during the first decade of this century. The plant would have been located near the Soviet-built – and now decommissioned –Visaginas nuclear plant in Lithuania. The plans, however, were not realized.

Will nuclear energy protect Estonia's economy against energy price shocks?

Nuclear energy was also on the table last Thursday when the government discussed ways of safeguarding the Estonian economy against energy price shocks in the future. Because nuclear energy is heavily regulated on the international level, its implementation is far more complicated and time-consuming than building any other kind of power plant.

Why is Estonia a hub of electricity?

Estonia's grid is an important hub as it is connected to Finland in the north, Russia in the east, Latvia and Lithuania in the south. Electricity is traded on the Nordic power market Nord Pool. In 2014–2016, yearly net imports from Finland were equal to 31-67% of consumption.

How much energy does Estonia use?

Estonia's all-time peak consumption is 1591 MW (in 2021). In 2021 the electricity generated from renewable energy sources was 29.3 %, being 38% of the share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption. Oil-based fuels, including oil shale and fuel oils, accounted for about 80% of domestic production in 2016.

What is Estonia's Auvere Bess project?

Estonia’s Auvere BESS project is designed to participate in both the electricity exchange and other energy markets to ensure the security of electricity supply. According to Eesti Energia board member Kristjan Kuhi, the battery is able to respond very effectively to fluctuations in the power system.