Electricity in Estonia in 2024
As of 2024, Estonia's electricity generation landscape is composed of a mixture of sources, with low-carbon energy making up a significant portion. Over one-third of the country's electricity comes from clean energy sources, with wind, solar, and biofuels being the primary contributors. Wind energy accounts for nearly 13% of electricity generation, solar energy contributes roughly 10%, and biofuels add almost 15%. Fossil fuels still play a notable role, accounting for nearly 30% of Estonia's electricity generation. Net imports form another critical segment, about a third of the total, which complements domestic production. These numbers emphasize the importance of continuing to expand low-carbon energy to further reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which have adverse effects on climate and air quality.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Estonia can focus on scaling up its wind and solar installations. Given that wind energy already plays a significant role in Estonia, there is potential to match or even exceed Denmark's impressive 52% electricity generation from wind. Additionally, lessons can be drawn from other successful countries in nuclear energy generation. Slovakia, with 62% of its electricity from nuclear sources, offers a comparable model for Estonia, given geographical and socio-economic similarities. Estonia might also take cues from neighboring Lithuania, which has capitalized on wind energy advancements, reaching a 26% contribution to its electricity generation. These examples illustrate paths that Estonia might follow to amplify its share of clean energy.
History
The gradual rise of low-carbon electricity in Estonia has been marked by incremental developments over the years. From the late 2000s, biofuels started making a noticeable impact, with consistent positive annual changes in electricity generation until a few dips in recent years. The past decade has seen various years of increase in wind power generation, with 2024 marking a significant spike of 0.4 TWh. Solar energy also shows a promise, with a gradual but steady increase, particularly in recent years. These developments highlight Estonia's journey toward diversifying its electricity mix, favoring more sustainable options to ensure a cleaner, greener energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.