Renewable electricity covered more than a third of consumption in the second quarter

In the second quarter, Estonian power plants produced 728 gigawatt-hours of renewable energy – nine percent more than during the same period in the last year. Electricity produced from renewable sources comprised 40 percent of Estonian electricity production in the second quarter of the year, and 37 percent of consumption.

The production of renewable energy in the second quarter was affected by the slightly reduced production of electricity from biomass and waste while the production of electricity from wind as well as solar power increased. Producers received a total of 25.9 million euros in subsidies for renewable energy from April to June this year, which is 17 percent more than in the same period last year.

Electricity produced from biomass, biogas and waste made up 49 percent of the production of renewable energy in the last three months. 353 gigawatt-hours of electricity was produced from the aforesaid fuel types from April to June, and subsidies were paid in the amount of nearly 9.6 million euros.

The production of solar panels receiving subsidies is still constantly growing. In the second quarter of the year, the amount of electricity produced via solar panels and distributed to the network amounted to 210 gigawatt-hours. Solar power accounted for 29 percent of the production of renewable energy. Subsidies of more than 10.6 million euros were paid for solar power produced and distributed to the network, which means that subsidies have nearly doubled year-on-year.

Wind energy made up 21 percent of the total production of renewable energy in Q2. The 156 gigawatt-hours of wind energy produced is a 10 percent increase compared to the previous year. In Q2, 66 percent of wind energy output was subsidised, amounting to 5.5 million euros. In the first half-year, payments have been made to the extent of 44 percent of the maximum limit amount of 600 gigawatt-hours of wind energy to be subsidised in the year.

Eight gigawatt-hours of electricity were produced by hydropower in the second quarter of the year and 111,000 euros were spent on subsidies. Efficient cogeneration subsidies were paid in the amount of 606,000 euros in Q2 this year, which is a quarter less than during the same period in the last year.

The renewable energy and efficient co-generation subsidies are financed by power consumers through the renewable energy charge based on applicable legislation. Elering received 21.3 million euros via the charge in Q2 and spent 26.5 million euros on renewable energy and efficient co-generation subsidies. Detailed information concerning the renewable energy subsidy amounts is available in the Register of State Aid and De Minimis Aid administered by the Ministry of Finance: https://www.rahandusministeerium.ee/et/riigiabi.