Objective
The aim of the plan is to plan the Estonian part of the fourth Estonian-Latvian electricity connection, starting from the city of Paide towards the city of Lihula and through the Suur Strait to the southwestern coast of Saaremaa. The connection to be created will increase the security of electricity supply in 2033+ and create opportunities for receiving a larger amount of renewable energy into the West Estonian electricity grid, contributing to the achievement of the country's 2050 climate neutrality goals. The planned connection will affect the entire Estonian society, including all municipalities where the new connection is planned - they will be able to both consume and produce more electricity. The electricity connection will create the prerequisites for Estonia's export of renewable energy and strengthen energy security.
The national designated spatial plan procedure consists of two stages:
- making a pre-selection of the location and
- prepering a detailed solution for the selected location.
The planning procedure aims to establish a national special plan based on the pre-selection decision on the location. If it is not possible to waive the preparation of a detailed solution in the planning procedure, a detailed planning solution, including a sketch and preliminary design, will be prepared in a suitable location for the determination of the building right. As a result of the state special plan, a comprehensive spatial solution will be prepared for the fourth Estonian-Latvian electricity connection and the buildings that function together with it. For example, the following buildings will be planned: an overhead line with a voltage of 110 kV and higher, an underground cable line, a water cable line, a transformer substation with a voltage of 110 kV and higher, other facilities related to the electricity transmission line, and other necessary land use and building conditions.
Planeeringuala
The planning area of the national designated spatial plan includes the following local government units: Saaremaa rural municipality and Muhu rural municipality in Saare County, Lääne-Nigula rural municipality in Lääne County, Lääneranna rural municipality and Põhja-Pärnumaa rural municipality in Pärnu County, Märjamaa rural municipality, Kehtna rural municipality and Rapla rural municipality in Rapla County, and Türi rural municipality and Paide city in Järva County. In the maritime area, the planning area includes the Väike strait and part of the Suur stait. The size of the planning area is approximately 6314 km2.
Order No. 39 of the Government of the Republic of 15.02.2024
The planning area can be examined in more detail in the map application of the plan
Increasing security of supply
The goal of ensuring security of supply is to guarantee the energy needed by consumers. Planning the electricity connection is essential to ensure security of electricity supply in the 2033+ perspective, as the connection will provide a 330-kilovolt network on Saaremaa and also on the mainland.
Export of renewable energy
The connection creates the prerequisites for Estonia's renewable energy export and cooperation with neighboring countries, primarily Latvia, but perhaps also with more distant countries in the future.
Energy security
Energy security assesses the guarantee of the country's energy supply in the event of the realization of rare specific natural, man-made, political and geopolitical threats. Energy imports and exports strengthen energy security. The fourth external connection to be created will ensure the independence of the Estonian energy system from Russia.
Electricity production and consumption
The connection to be created will enable the acceptance of a larger amount of renewable energy into the West Estonian electricity grid. The planned connection will affect the entire Estonian society, including all municipalities where the new connection is planned – they will be able to both consume and produce more electricity. Thus, the connection to be created will contribute to achieving the country's climate neutrality goals.
Ajakava
Procedure diagram for the narional designated spatial plan of the fourth Estonian-Latvian electricity interconnection.
The aim of preparing the plan is to apply Section 271 of the Planning Act, i.e. to establish a national designated sptatial plan based on the preliminary location selection decision. If circumstances arise during the planning procedure that make it impossible to dispense with the preparation of a detailed plan, a detailed plan solution will be prepared for a suitable location and the entire planning process will take longer.
Balancing interests
The national designated spatial plan must be based on national interests, taking into account local interests and needs, where possible. During the planning process, we balance different interests, weigh them according to the planning principles and planning objectives, and integrate them into the planning solution. This is ensured, among other things, by effectively involving the public and interested parties in the decision-making process.
Kontaktid
Project manager
Monika Korolkov
[email protected]
+372 5884 7055
Media contact
Geili Heinmaa
[email protected]
+372 5850 3951
Last updated: 17.03.2026
