Transition to a 15-minute market time unit

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The electricity market's shift to a 15-minute trading period is occurring across Europe, as stipulated by the European Union's electricity balancing guidelines.

Why is the transition to a 15-minute market time unit (trading period) happening in Estonia and other European countries?

This change aims to better balance the electricity system and promote the integration of renewable energy sources. Currently, the electricity system is balanced with an hourly resolution, but electricity consumption and production can fluctuate significantly within an hour. For instance, solar intensity can vary considerably due to cloud cover within the same hour.

By adopting a shorter, 15-minute trading period, production and consumption can be forecasted more accurately, maintaining system balance more effectively. Ensuring the balance between production and consumption at every moment is crucial for maintaining the frequency of the electricity system. Deviations in frequency beyond certain limits can damage electrical equipment or lead to system shutdowns.

A shorter trading period helps reduce the costs associated with balancing the electricity system, which in turn can lower the end-user's electricity bill. Additionally, market prices will more accurately reflect actual supply and demand when using a shorter trading period; the smaller the market time unit, the more precisely market participants must determine quantities, leading to more accurate pricing.

In our region, the electricity exchange operator Nord Pool plans to start displaying day-ahead electricity prices based on 15-minute trading periods from September 30, 2025. However, even after this date, the exchange will continue to display average hourly prices alongside the 15-minute prices.

Since April 1, distribution network operators in Estonia, with Elektrilevi being the largest, have been sending customers' consumption and production data with 15-minute accuracy to the nationwide data exchange platform managed by Elering. Nevertheless, in the data exchange platform's client portal (https://estfeed.elering.ee/), it is still possible to view consumption and production data by hour and other time units (day, month, etc.).

If a customer's metering point uses an older type of meter that cannot technically measure energy quantities with 15-minute accuracy, the customer will still see 15-minute data, but these are derived by dividing the hourly energy quantity into four. Actual 15-minute data will be available once the network service provider installs a meter capable of 15-minute measurement periods, by 2031 at the latest.

There have been scams impersonating Elektrilevi, Eesti Energia, and Enefit, requesting personal information and Smart-ID signatures for meter replacement. Elektrilevi and Eesti Energia do not request such information via phone or email.

Do not share passwords or open suspicious links! If in doubt, contact Elektrilevi customer service at 777 1545.

What changes for the consumer?

For household consumers, nothing changes initially until a new meter is installed. The change primarily aims to optimize electricity system management and is more cost-effective for society. Initially, the transition is intended to improve the management of the exchange and imbalance.

Recent news on the transition to a 15-minute period

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Viewing 15-minute measurement data, i.e., your consumption and production

How do I know if I have a 15-minute meter?

This information can be viewed in Elering's client portal under "metering point data," where it indicates whether data transmission is in hourly or 15-minute intervals. Elektrilevi customers can check the meter type in the self-service portal under consumption history.

When will meters start measuring 15-minute data?

Network operators will replace or configure meters gradually, by 2031 at the latest. This will follow the network operator's plans and depend on the existing meter's lifespan. Customers do not need to take any action regarding the transition to 15-minute measurement.

How do I know when my meter's lifespan ends?

When a meter's lifespan is ending and needs replacement, the network operator will contact the customer.

Can I order a 15-minute meter myself?

Since transitioning to 15-minute data usage also requires upgrading communication systems, meter replacement cannot currently be ordered separately; it will occur according to the network operator's plans.

Does my network service agreement change when the meter is replaced? Do I need to do anything regarding the network service agreement? How do I know who provides my network service?

No. The meter will be replaced by your network service provider.

You can find your network service provider, for example, in the Estfeed client portal: e-elering.

Meter replacements and the transition to 15-minute measurement will occur gradually and be completed by 2031 at the latest. If a meter replacement is necessary, the distribution network operator will contact the customer to arrange a time. Customers whose meters have already been replaced or configured for 15-minute measurement will be notified separately. Currently, it is not possible for customers to order a 15-minute measurement meter replacement themselves; this service is still under development.

Who pays for the electricity meter replacement?

The network operator covers the costs. There are no costs for private customers (household consumers) associated with the electricity meter replacement.

Do not share passwords or open suspicious links! If in doubt, contact Elektrilevi customer service at 777 1545 or your network service provider.

Viewing and billing of 15-minute electricity prices

Where will 15-minute prices be displayed?

15-minute prices will be displayed on the Nord Pool platform starting from September 30:

Nord Pool | Day-ahead prices

Market participants (Elering, distribution network operators, electricity sellers) will make the necessary technical updates in their self-service portals to display 15-minute prices according to each company's schedule.

Which price should I monitor if I want to consume electricity at a cheaper time—15-minute or hourly price?

In our region, the electricity exchange operator Nord Pool plans to start displaying day-ahead electricity prices based on 15-minute market time units from September 30, 2025.

After this date, both 15-minute and hourly average prices will be displayed in parallel, and you should monitor the price according to your meter.

As long as you have a meter that measures consumption with hourly accuracy, there is no point in monitoring 15-minute prices within the hour when managing consumption. Once the meter is replaced with one that can track consumption in 15-minute intervals, you can manage consumption (if you have an exchange-based package) based on the 15-minute price and decide in which quarter-hour to consume electricity.

Will my electricity price change when transitioning to 15-minute intervals? How will electricity prices be calculated after the transition?

If you are on a fixed-price electricity package, nothing changes. The electricity price remains the same until the end of the contract period.

If you are on an exchange-based package and your electricity meter has not yet been replaced, essentially nothing changes:

Payment for electricity will be based on the hourly average price, calculated as the arithmetic mean of the four 15-minute prices for that hour (summing the four 15-minute prices and dividing by four).

If you are on an exchange-based package and your electricity meter has been replaced, electricity costs will be calculated in 15-minute intervals.

Will my electricity package change due to the transition?

No. The electricity package and the agreed electricity price remain valid under the existing conditions.

Do I need to do anything regarding the electricity package?