The State Launches Planning for the Fourth Estonia–Latvia Electricity Interconnection

Today, at the request of the transmission system operator Elering, the Government of the Republic initiated a national designated spatial plan and strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for the fourth electricity interconnection between Estonia and Latvia. Over the next couple of years, the Estonian part of the electricity link and its supporting infrastructure will be planned from the city of Paide, through the town of Lihula, to the Sõrve Peninsula in Saaremaa.

“This electricity interconnection is essential for accommodating a larger volume of renewable energy into the Western Estonian power grid. It supports the country’s climate neutrality goals and ensures more reliable electricity connections in Western Estonia and the islands,” said Minister of Regional Affairs Madis Kallas. “This project will impact the entire Estonian society, including all municipalities along the proposed route, as it will allow for greater electricity consumption and generation in the future,” Kallas added.
“During the planning process, more detailed information will emerge regarding environmental, economic, and technical aspects to help answer the questions that cannot yet be fully addressed. These findings may lead to significant changes in the project.”

The interconnection is planned primarily as a 330-kilovolt overhead power line on land. In areas where overhead lines are not feasible, underground cables will be considered. The sea section will be implemented using submarine cables. Substations will also be planned as part of the project. The exact routing and land requirements of the new lines will be determined during the national spatial planning procedure. The connection is scheduled for completion in 2033 and will contribute to achieving the 2050 climate goals. The initiation of the planning process does not directly affect other ongoing renewable energy projects on land or at sea.

The planning process will assess the social, economic, cultural, and environmental impacts. The national spatial plan will provide an integrated spatial solution for the electricity connections and associated infrastructure. This includes the planning of higher-voltage overhead lines, underground cables, submarine cables, transformer substations with a voltage of 110 kV or higher, and other facilities related to electricity transmission.

The planning area covers approximately 6,314 km². On land, it includes Saaremaa and Muhu municipalities in Saare County; Lääne-Nigula municipality in Lääne County; Lääneranna and Põhja-Pärnumaa municipalities in Pärnu County; Märjamaa, Kehtna, and Rapla municipalities in Rapla County; and Türi municipality and the city of Paide in Järva County. At sea, the planning area includes the Väike Strait and part of the Suur Strait (the location can be viewed on the map attached to the press release).
The planning area was defined with sufficient scope to avoid premature pre-selection of the connection’s location and to allow for alternative routing options and assessments during the planning process.

Although the planning was initiated for a large area, the final plan will only apply to the area required for the construction of the electricity interconnection. To ensure efficient, reasonable, and sustainable land use, the ministry aims to identify suitable solutions within already used land areas where possible. Therefore, all landowners whose properties are located near existing power lines within the planning area will be notified personally.

The next step is to identify a suitable location for the electricity interconnection. The planning procedure aims to adopt the national spatial plan based on a preliminary location decision. If the environmental impact assessments and negotiations on the planning solution proceed smoothly, the plan could be adopted by 2026.

The planning process is public, and everyone has the right to participate and submit proposals. More information is available at:
www.riigiplaneering.ee/riigi-eriplaneeringud/riigi-eriplaneeringute-taotlused/eesti-lati-neljanda-elektriuhenduse-riigi