Power Production in Estonia Decreases 21 Per Cent Year-On-Year

In August, electricity production decreased by 21 per cent compared to the same time last year, while consumption increased by one per cent.

Production in Estonia decreased due to smaller export capacities to Latvia and Lithuania. Estonia’s monthly electricity balance still saw a surplus of 82 gigawatt-hours, because domestic production exceeded consumption by 14 per cent. In August this year, electricity production totalled 674 gigawatt-hours, while consumption capacity was 592 gigawatt-hours.

The favourable wind conditions that had continued since the beginning of the year changed in August, causing a decrease of 30 per cent in wind energy production year-on-year. According to the Estonian Weather Service, the average daily wind speed at the Pakri and Virtsu measuring stations decreased by five per cent in comparison with the same time last year. Electricity production from hydro-energy decreased by 57 per cent year-on-year as a result of poor precipitation as compared to August last year. The share of electricity produced from renewable resources totalled 14.3 per cent of domestic consumption in August. Last year, that number was 16.4 per cent.

In Latvia, production increased by 43 per cent, reaching 442 gigawatt-hours, but there was no significant change in consumption. Latvian producers covered 76 per cent of domestic demand.

In Lithuania, electricity production decreased by 11 per cent year-on-year, with consumption also decreasing by three per cent. The volume of electricity produced totalled 313 gigawatt-hours, and consumption was 850 gigawatt-hours; therefore, the monthly deficit was 571 gigawatt-hours, slightly more than last year.

In August, total electricity production in the Baltic countries decreased by six per cent compared to last year, reaching 1375 gigawatt-hours. Electricity consumption totalled 1999 gigawatt-hours, decreasing by one per cent compared to last year. The gross electricity deficit in the Baltic countries increased by 13 per cent compared to last year, totalling 624 gigawatt-hours.

In the Nordic region, total electricity production increased by eight per cent due to better availability of hydro resources. Consumption increased by one per cent and the monthly balance remained positive by 1.73 terawatt-hours.

The full summary of the electricity system in August is available here.