23.08.2018 09:05
Generation of electricity up 7 per cent in July, consumption increases by 6 per cent
Production of electricity in Estonia grew in July by 7 per cent from the same period a year ago, reaching 822 gigawatt-hours for the month. Consumption also grew year-over-year by six percent, amounting to 606 gigawatt-hours.
Compared to last July, 15 per cent more renewable energy was produced last month - 115 gigawatt-hours. Within that total, close to one-quarter more energy was produced from biomass and gas than a year ago, but wind energy output dropped 2 per cent and hydro was practically absent from the Estonian energy balance in July. Of all renewable energy, about 29 per cent was generated from wind and 69 percent from biomass and gas. Renewable energy made up 17 percent of domestic consumption in July.
The commercial import of electricity fell by one-half last month, standing at 136 gigawatt-hours. Of electricity imports, 86 per cent came from Finland and the rest from Latvia. Commercial export dropped by about one-quarter to 351 gigawatt-hours, 73 per cent of it being exported to Latvia and 27 per cent to Finland. The electricity trading balance ran a surplus last month – 216 gigawatt-hours more was exported than was imported.
In Latvia, power production in July grew by four per cent to 374 gigawatt-hours, and in Lithuania, the respective figure rose by 15 per cent to 186 gigawatt-hours. Consumption in Latvia was 569 gigawatt-hours – an increase of six per cent last month, like in Estonia. In Lithuania consumption grew by one-fifth compared to last July, amounting to 959 gigawatt-hours.
Overall, the Baltics had a deficit in July – 753 gigawatt-hours more was consumed than was produced.
The Nordic countries’ electricity balance in July was also in deficit overall, as 509 gigawatt-hours more was consumed than was produced. Production dropped by 8 per cent year-over-year and consumption was up by one per cent.