In Estonia, the electricity consumption over the past year, extending from September 2024 to August 2025, has presented a fascinating distribution among different sources. Low-carbon energy sources account for nearly half of the electricity consumption, with wind energy contributing more than a fifth and solar energy adding another significant share of almost a sixth. Biofuels round out this clean energy group, making up a smaller, yet notable portion. On the other hand, fossil energy constitutes almost a third of the total, with oil being the predominant player, providing over a fifth of total consumption. Coal, though much less significant, still contributes to the fossil fuel mix. Additionally, Estonia imports nearly a quarter of its electricity, supplementing its domestic production. This energy distribution highlights a commendable shift towards low-carbon sources, though the reliance on fossil fuels and imports signals further opportunities for improvement.
Is Electricity Growing in Estonia?
Examining the growth of electricity consumption in Estonia presents a mixed picture. The most recent figures for 2025 show an electricity consumption of 4795 kWh per person, which is substantially lower compared to the historic peak of 11690 kWh per person recorded back in 1986, a decrease that raises concerns. Similarly, the recent low-carbon electricity generation has seen a slight decline from its previous record in 2024, dropping from 2508 kWh to 2210 kWh per person. This modest reduction of nearly 300 kWh per person in just a year suggests a need to accelerate efforts in expanding clean energy infrastructure. Such contractions might hinder Estonia's ability to meet rising electricity demands, further necessitating a rapid shift towards sustainable solutions.
Suggestions
To bolster low-carbon electricity generation, Estonia can look at augmenting its existing wind and solar capacity, seeing that these sources already contribute significantly to the country's clean energy mix. Observing successful global practices, Estonia can draw inspiration from countries like Denmark and Lithuania, where wind power represents over half and a third of electricity generation, respectively. Additionally, Estonia can explore the incorporation of nuclear energy as a reliable low-carbon source. France's example of having nearly 70% of its electricity from nuclear power showcases the potential to diversify energy sources. By considering strategic investments in wind, solar, and nuclear energy, Estonia can further transition towards a sustainable, clean energy future while reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
History
Historically, the evolution of Estonia's low-carbon electricity landscape has experienced various ebbs and flows. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, biofuels played a crucial role, with incremental gains in electricity generation until some setbacks in the mid-2010s. Meanwhile, wind energy had a minor setback in 2016 but rebounded with consistent growth from 2017 onward. Solar energy entered the scene more prominently in the early 2020s, contributing modest but consistent increases. Despite some fluctuations, these decades illustrate a broader trend toward expanding low-carbon electricity, particularly wind and solar, reinforcing the need to sustain and enhance these efforts for a cleaner energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.