Estlink I and Estlink II submarine power cables between Estonia and Finland are ready, and an additional electrical connection to Latvia is in progress. In the gas market, the priority is to fully develop the regional gas market, including the Baltic States and Finland, by 2022 at the latest and to provide access to gas infrastructure in the region (gas storage facilities, LNG terminals, transit pipelines) on equal terms for participants in the Estonian gas market. We have expanded the Baltic gas market to the north with the Balticconnector, and we are doing the same to the south – the gas pipeline between Lithuania and Poland should be completed already this year.
At the same time, Estonia is the least dependent on energy imports among the countries of the European Union. Thanks to the use of oil shale and, increasingly, renewable fuels, we are able to satisfy our country's energy needs to a large extent.
We are working to ensure that even in the conditions of stricter energy and climate policy than before, Estonia is able to maintain its energy independence and increase it even more. This is because the target of Estonia's market-based energy policy is to ensure the country's energy independence, security of supply and competitive energy prices, which are one of the most important prerequisites for economic development.
International cooperation
Estonia has been a member of the International Energy Agency since November 2013. This gives Estonia access to highly valued energy policy analyses and sectoral forecasts. It also gives Estonia the opportunity to present its unique experience and knowledge of oil shale upgrading to the international energy policy community.
International energy agencyLegislation and supervision
The Energy Sector Organisation Act sets out the measures to achieve the national target for energy performance and the requirements for improving energy performance, and names the obligated parties in the public and private sectors.
Market participants are supervised by the Competition Authority, with whom companies involved in district heating, electricity, gas transmission and distribution must coordinate their tariffs.
Such supervision gives the consumer confidence that companies do not make unreasonably high profits by taking advantage of their monopoly market position. In addition, the agency ensures that companies' investments to improve the technical condition of networks and develop energy infrastructure are reasonable and are made on time.
Last updated: 08.03.2023
