Objective
The objective of the planning process is to design a 600 MW nuclear power plant and the necessary infrastructure, and to connect it to the existing grid. This carbon-neutral generation capacity, established under the National Designated Spatial Plan (NDSP) and operating independently of external conditions, will complement Estonia’s energy portfolio, whilst increasing the security of electricity supply and price stability. Establishing the plant contributes to national goals envisaging the achievement of climate neutrality (balancing greenhouse gas emissions and removal) and aligns with the ‘Estonia 2035’ long-term development strategy and the fundamentals of climate policy until 2050.
The procedure consists of two stages:
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pre-selection of the location;
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preparation of a detailed solution for the selected location.
First, the studies required to find a suitable site for the plant and necessary infrastructure (e.g. power lines, cooling systems) will be identified. To this end, terms of reference for the studies will be established.
Once the initial site selection has been made and its environmental impact assessed, a more detailed plan will be compiled for the selected location. This is referred to as the detailed solution of the NDSP (similar to a detailed spatial plan); it grants building rights for the plant and resolves other necessary matters prescribed by law (road construction, location of infrastructure, etc. – Planning Act § 126 (1)).
Planning Area
The planning area of the National Designated Spatial Plan covers parts of Haljala Municipality, the City of Rakvere, Rakvere Municipality, Vinni Municipality, and Viru-Nigula Municipality in Lääne-Viru County, and the City of Kohtla-Järve, Lüganuse Municipality, and Toila Municipality in Ida-Viru County, as well as the adjacent sea area from Kunda Bay to Narva Bay. The size of the planning area is approximately 1,285 km².
Order No. 102 of the Government of the Republic of 22 May 2025
The planning area can be examined in more detail in the planning map application.
The previously prepared spatial analysis is available on the website of the Nuclear Energy Working Group of the Ministry of Climate.
Increasing Security of Supply
The objective of ensuring security of supply is to guarantee the energy required by consumers. To ensure Estonia’s security of supply, the national electricity system requires 1,000 MW of electricity capacity until 2030, and 1,200 MW of dispatchable capacity thereafter. Considering the nuclear power plant’s nominal capacity (600 MW), this accounts for 60% of the requirement for national energy security. Planning the deployment of nuclear energy contributes significantly to the security of supply of reliable, carbon-free energy in Estonia and the Baltic region.
Carbon-Neutral Generation Capacity
Establishing the nuclear power plant contributes to national climate goals envisaging the achievement of climate neutrality (balancing greenhouse gas emissions and removal) and aligns with the state’s long-term development strategy ‘Estonia 2035’ and the fundamentals of climate policy until 2050.
Energy Security
Energy security means guaranteeing the state’s energy supply, even in the event of specific rare natural, man-made, political, and geopolitical threats. Domestic nuclear energy provides stable energy, independent of the weather and neighbouring countries, for decades.
Electricity Generation and Consumption
A nuclear power plant providing stable generation with a nominal capacity of 600 MW enables electricity prices to be kept more stable and affordable for the consumer.
Timeline
The duration of the planning procedure (and, in particular, any extension thereof) may be influenced by studies and analyses, the need for which and/or the timing of which become evident during the preparation of the plan and the negotiation of the planning solution.
Balancing Interests
The National Designated Spatial Plan must be guided by national objectives, whilst taking into account local interests and needs where possible. To achieve this balance, the effective involvement of the public and interested persons in the decision-making process is essential. During the planning process, all opinions, proposals, and interests are considered in accordance with planning principles and the objectives of the plan, and, where possible, integrated into the planning solution.
Contacts
Project Manager
Agnes Lihtsa
[email protected]
+372 5819 0538
Media
Geili Heinmaa
[email protected]
+372 5850 3951
Last updated: 10.04.2026
