EstLink 3: Strengthening the high-voltage network in the Tallinn region

The objective of the preparation of the NSP is to plan a stronger high-voltage network in the Tallinn region as a prerequisite for the Estlink 3 project, which will enable greater transmission capacities between the eastern and western regions of the Estonian main grid, and to build a new high-voltage substation near Lake Ülemiste in Rae rural municipality to additionally supply Tallinn with electricity. The new electricity connection will alleviate the electricity transmission capacity deficit in the capital region in the view of 2035 and beyond, which is caused by the increase in the share of electricity in energy consumption, and will allow additional consumption and production capacities to be connected to the electricity network from production areas and consumption centers around the settlements in the region, if necessary. The electricity connection will also create additional prerequisites for the export of Estonian renewable energy and strengthen energy security.

The procedure for the national special plan and its impact assessment consists of two stages:

1. preparation of the initial assumptions and impact assessment of the location, including the SEA program, and the pre-selection of the location together with the impact assessment; 
2. preparation of a detailed solution in the selected locations together with the impact assessment. 

The planning procedure aims to establish a state special plan based on the preliminary location selection decision. 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 for a suitable location for the purpose of determining the building right. The NSP will prepare a comprehensive spatial solution for the high-voltage lines necessary to strengthen the high-voltage network in the Tallinn region and the buildings that function together with them. For example, the following buildings will be planned: an overhead line with a voltage of 110 kV and higher, 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.

The planning area covers the following local governments in Harju County: Saku rural municipality, Kiili rural municipality, Rae rural municipality and Raasiku rural municipality. The planning area was selected with a sufficient scope so as not to pre-select the location of electricity connections before the planning process and to allow for changing the location of electricity connection alternatives and adding additional alternatives when preparing the plan and assessing its impacts, if necessary. The size of the planning area is approximately 64.71 km2.

Order No. 211 of the Government of the Republic of Estonia of 31.10.2024

During the preparation of the planning procurement, it was decided to additionally include the prospective Rail Baltic railway corridor and the existing Tallinn - Tapa railway and Aruküla-Lasnamäe 110 kV high-voltage line corridors and the unpopulated area between them in the planning area, so that it would be possible to consider and compare additional route corridor alternatives. The Government of the Republic decided to expand the planning area by Order No. 164 of 18.09.2025. The size of the expanded planning area is approximately 106.38 km².

Order No. 164 of the Government of the Republic of Estonia of 18.09.2025

The planning area can be examined in more detail in the planning map application

Project manager

Alan Rood
[email protected]
+372 5556 8761

Media contact

Geili Heinmaa
[email protected]
+372 5850 3951