Grid expansion
Updated: 17.01.2019
Author: Lilian Pungas
The grid operator is obliged by law to develop the grid within his area of service in such a way as to maintain grid services for all electricity producers and be able to connect additional electricity plants to the grid (§ 66 par. 1 ELTS). According to the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, a plant operator may demand that the grid operator upgrade the grid if the upgrade is necessary to connect a plant.
Procedure
| Process flow | The law does not specify a procedure to be followed by the plant operators. |
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| Competent authority | Elering AS (http://elering.ee/en/);
Elektrilevi OÜ (https://www.elektrilevi.ee/en/avaleht) |
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Distribution of costs
| Consumers | According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the consumers bear the costs of the expansion of the grid (§ 71 par. 1 no. 2 ELTS). |
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| Plant operator | According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the plant operator bears the costs of connecting a plant to the grid (§ 71 par. 1 no. 3 ELTS). |
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| Distribution mechanism | According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the costs of grid expansion are included in the calculation of the charges for grid use and are thus passed on to the grid users. This redistribution is possible only if the expansion serves to guarantee supply. |
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Grid studies
“Development Plan of the Estonian Electricity Sector until 2018”, put together by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. Contains among other issues the relevant measures to be put in place concerning the planning and development of grids. Available at (in Estonian): https://valitsus.ee/sites/default/files/content-editors/arengukavad/eesti_elektrimajanduse_arengukava.pdf
"National Spatial plan Estonia 2030+" tackles the issues of spatial planning, infrastructure and energy production. Available at (in English): https://eesti2030.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/estonia-2030.pdf
Study from 2010 by a Danish Consulting company EA Energy Analyses which explores the potential of wind power in Estonia in the light of grid development and - capacities. Available at (in English): www.ea-energianalyse.dk/reports/1001_Wind_Power_in_Estonia.pdf
Study by a Danish Consulting company EA Energy Analyses and Tallinn University of Technology and Estonian TSO Elering “Estonian Long-Term Power Scenarios” published in May 2014. Available at: https://elering.ee/sites/default/files/attachments/Estonian-Long-term-Energy-Scenarios.pdf
A report on the Estonian electricity market published in 2016 by the Estonian TSO Elering, includes information about grid development. Available at: https://elering.ee/sites/default/files/attachments/elering_elektrituru_kasiraamat_2016_web_1.pdf
Elering Annual Report 2017 (published in 2017) by the Estonian Transmission System Operator Elering, includes information about the latest developments regarding grid issues in Estonia. Available at: https://elering.ee/sites/default/files/public/Investorile/Elering_AA_2017_210x280_ENG_WEB_UUS_2.pdf
Estonia