Estonia to foster wind energy

The national electricity development plan envisages another 30 percent of the country energy needs being met by oil shale.

Combined heat and power (CHP) stations would account for less than 10 percent of the national power generating capacity. It appears from the development plan that by 2014 Estoniaintends to raise the capacity of CHP stations to 300 megawatts, with a maximum peak time net capacity of 260 megawatts.

By the end of 2015 the country would set up two new 300 megawatt generating units at the Narva power stations in northeastern Estoniawith a net capacity of 270 megawatts, whereas by 2012 sulphur and nitrogen capture equipment would be installed at three existing 200 megawatt generating units.

The capacity of ground based wind farms would be increased to 400 megawatts by 2013, after which offshore capacities are to be developed.

In 2016, when Estonia will be no longer able to use the old oil shale fired units, oil shale will account for 48 percent of electricity supply. CHP will account for 9 percent and wind farms and their balancing capacities for 21 percent.

Nuclear power comes in starting from 2023, according to the timelines held out by the developmnent plan. In that year 600 megawatts of nuclear generated power should boost Estonia's guaranteed electricity production capacity to 3,580 megawatts.