EstLink 3
The third power connection with Finland will further contribute to security of supply, the achievement of climate and energy policy goals, and will link the Baltic States and the Nordic countries even more closely into a single market area.
In February 2024, Elering submitted an application to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority to obtain a building permit for the construction of a third power connection between Estonia and Finland with a landing site in Northwest Estonia. The Authority initiated the building permit procedure together with the environmental impact assessment on 25 July 2024 for the construction of the EstLink 3 submarine cable: Notices related to environmental impact assessment | Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority. (in estonian)
Currently, Estonia has two power connections with Finland – EstLink 1 with a capacity of 350 megawatts, which starts at the Harku substation in Estonia and was completed in 2006, and EstLink 2 with a capacity of 650 megawatts, which is connected to the transmission system at the Püssi substation and was completed in 2014.
The construction of the EstLink 3 power connection consists of three parts:
- laying of a submarine cable;
- construction of converter stations on both sides of the Gulf of Finland;
- investments related to network reinforcement in various locations in Estonia and Finland (substations/overhead lines).
The planned direct current connection capacity of EstLink 3 is 700 MW.
Why is EstLink 3 connection needed?
EstLink 3 helps to harmonise electricity prices in Estonia and Finland, allowing for a larger amount of affordable renewable energy from the Nordic countries to be brought to Estonia.
The additional connection will also increase energy security and security of supply and allow for the development of renewable energy by ensuring that the energy produced can be transported between countries in larger volumes. In this way, EstLink3 contributes to achieving the green goals of the European Union and Estonia.
Where and what is being built
EstLink 3 consists of a direct current cable line connecting Estonia and Finland and converter stations located at the ends of the cable. On the Estonian side, the planned Estlink 3 consists of a direct current submarine cable, an onshore cable, a converter station with a potential location in the Aulepa area, and a new 330 kV overhead line onshore, connecting Estlink 3 to the existing 330 kV network in Western Estonia.
In connection with the establishment of EstLink 3, the existing network must be reinforced. To this end, it is necessary to build a new 110 kV/330 kV substation in Tallinn, which will be connected to the Aruküla and Kiisa 330 kV substations using new 330 kV lines. In addition to the construction of new lines, the existing 330 kV Kiisa-Rakvere, Rakvere-Püssi, Paide-Sopi and Sopi-Sindi overhead lines will be reconstructed. During the reconstruction of these lines, 110 kV lines running parallel to them will be raised to common towers. Joint suspension allows for reduced environmental impact and savings on future maintenance costs for routes and lines.
Indicative timeline of the project
Elering and the Finnish transmission system operator Fingrid signed an agreement in August 2021 to conduct pre-feasibility studies to assess the technical and economic feasibility of the project. To this end, various studies are carried out that provide the necessary information regarding the technical feasibility of the connection, whether the new connection is economically beneficial to society, and what are the associated environmental impacts.
On 28 June 2022, Elering and Fingrid signed the Estlink 3 Memorandum of Understanding, in which both companies made non-binding commitments to complete the Estlink 3 project by 2035. According to the agreement, joint activities will cover technical issues, necessary investments, and a respective timetable.
Elering is expected to reach an investment decision in 2026–2027. It is only then that it will become clear whether the project will be implemented and what the construction time of the connection will be. The new connection could presumably be completed in 2035.
Project financings
Elering is applying for European Union funds for the construction of Estlink 3 so that the construction cost would not affect the network fee paid by consumers. The European Commission has included the EstLink 3 project in the list of European projects of common interest, which creates the prerequisites for involving European Union aid.
Designated spatial plans
Designated national spatial plan for the Rehemäe-Aulepa line (in estonian)