Renewable electricity production covered more than a third of total consumption in the first quarter
In the first quarter, Estonia's power plants generated 941 gigawatt-hours of renewable electricity, which is 17% more than in the same period last year. Electricity produced from renewable sources accounted for more than half of Estonia's total electricity production.
This year, the share of renewable electricity in total consumption was 39% in the first quarter, which is eight percentage points higher than last year. The share of renewable electricity in total production was 58% in the first quarter, compared to 55% last year.
Wind energy accounted for 44% of the total renewable electricity production in the first quarter. The 414 gigawatt-hours of wind energy produced represents nearly twice as much as in the same period last year. Wind energy production received €7.6 million in subsidies in the first quarter, covering 23% of the targeted annual production of 600 gigawatt-hours.
Electricity generated from biomass, biogas, and waste accounted for 41% of renewable energy production in the first three months of the year. These fuel types generated 384 gigawatt-hours of electricity from January to March, which is 9% less compared to the same period last year. Subsidies for electricity from these sources amounted to approximately €6.7 million.
Solar power plants generated and fed into the grid 131 gigawatt-hours of electricity in the first quarter of the year, which is 45% more than in the same period last year. The volume of solar-generated electricity fed into the grid has nearly doubled over the past year, with subsidies amounting to €2.8 million.
Hydropower production reached 12 gigawatt-hours in the first quarter, with subsidies totaling €86,000.
From January to March this year, producers received €17.2 million in subsidies for renewable electricity, which is the same amount as in the same period last year. Subsidies for efficient cogeneration amounted to €0.1 million in the first quarter, consistent with last year's figures.
Renewable energy and efficient cogeneration subsidies are funded by electricity consumers through the renewable energy fee. Detailed information on renewable energy subsidy amounts is available in the state aid and de minimis aid register https://www.fin.ee/riigihanked-riigiabi-osalused/riigiabi managed by the Ministry of Finance.