Estonia produced 15.6 per cent more renewable energy in 2021 than in 2020, reaching 2,578 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in total. Overall, renewables accounted for 40.7 per cent of Estonia’s electricity and covered 27 per cent of total consumption, according to Elering the national transmission system operator for electricity and natural gas of Estonia.
On the other hand, renewable energy receiving subsidies decreased by 5.5 per cent with the exception of solar power. The total amount, including energy-efficient cogeneration subsidies, were paid in the volume of 94.5 million euros.
Biomass, biogas and waste contributed to 59 per cent of renewables production. Wind power went down by 11 per cent in 2021 and amounted to 28 per cent. Hydro accounted for 24.8 gigawatt-hours of electricity which is over a 2 per cent drop compared to 27 GWh in 2020.
Of all renewable energy sources, solar was the one that saw the biggest growth. Its generation doubled and went from 122.5 GWh in 2020 to 305 GWh in 2021. There are now more than 9,400 producers of solar power in Estonia.
Compared to 2020, the number of solar electricity producers tripled in the country. In addition, the network connection construction for nearly 2,600 production capacities is now pending. They make up a total amount of approximately 450 megawatts of production capacity.
