The old power system in Tallinn

Some parts of Tallinn are still supplied by the 3 x 220 V power system, also known as the old power system. This low voltage network built in the 1930s–1960s mainly serves the Central, Kristiine, and North Tallinn city districts, and also buildings in the Old Town. We currently only repair breakdowns in this out-of-date system.

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Mandatory connection

For most of the 840 buildings covered by the old system, nearly half of them, we have already built an electricity network with the new voltage system.

For places of consumption where the customer has received notice of the possibility to transfer to the new power system, the customer must connect to the new network within three (3) years.

Submit an application
[email protected]
Download application form

The advantages of the new power system

Higher security of supply

The new power system allows electricity to be transferred to your place of consumption from different substations. This reduces the number of power outages significantly.

More power

It is possible to consume 1.7 times as much energy with the same main fuse as in the old power system.

Higher quality

The cross-sections of the new cables are larger and the network is built to a supply loop design.

Improved safety

The new voltage and an updated internal electricity system reduces the danger of electrical accidents and fires.

New opportunities

Solar panels can be connected to the new power system.

Who should connect to the new power system?

Customers whose houses and apartments are within the new power system network can already connect to the new system. A new connection must be established within three years after receiving notice from us.

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How much does it cost?

Our services for switching to the new power system, including the installation of a junction box, new cable lines to the connection point and the replacement of the meters, are free for you. The required electrical works inside your house have to be carried out at your own expense.

The part of the internal electrical system of the building that is outside the apartments will have to be renovated at your expense. We also recommend all apartment owners update the electrical system inside their apartments.

Grants for renovating electrical installations

From April 2015 until 2026, grants are available from KredEx to renovate electrical systems. This means that you will pay up to 50% less to renovate the part of electrical system inside the building that is outside the apartments. You can read more about the grant for renovating electrical installations on the web page of KredEx »

Steps to switching to the new voltage system

If you live in an apartment building, a joint decision is needed to switch to the new voltage system. In a private home, the owner must make the decision.

Submitting an application

On the basis of your application we can prepare a technical inspection document and a connection quote.

Construction work in the external network

We will install a new input cable and replace the old meters.

Internal electrical system of the house

Arrange for the renovation of the internal electrical system of the building in the jointly used areas of the building and order the necessary measurements.

Read more about the steps

The old power system in Tallinn

The cables used in the electricity network with the old voltage system have exceeded their optimal service life by now. It is an outdated network that poses significant electrical hazards and causes power outages.

Elektrilevi renews the network in the above-mentioned areas annually, building a network with a new voltage system next to the old network, thus creating an opportunity for consumers to connect their apartment building to the new electricity network.

When the network with the new voltage system is ready, the customers of the old voltage network in the same area will be notified. The customers will also be obliged to upgrade the in-house electricity system within the next three years. That must be done to be able to join a new voltage system that is significantly more reliable and safer than the old voltage system. If the connection to the new network does not take place within three years, the customer will be charged a fee for maintaining the old voltage system.

Who should connect to the new power system?

The obligation to transfer to the new power system arises from the Grid Code (§ 36 subsection 1) established with a government regulation.

Map of Tallinn's old power system with places of consumption connected to the old 3 x 220 V network (pdf) »

Places of consumption where a new network has been built and the new voltage system is available for customers (pdf) »

The buildings that are still connected to the old system will be connected to the new network step by step. The new network will also be extended as planned to buildings that are not yet connected to it.

Steps to switching to the new voltage system

On the basis of your application we can prepare a technical inspection document and a connection quote.

Send us an application (pdf) to switch to the new voltage system. After receiving the application we will prepare and issue the technical inspection document and a connection quote within 5–30 days.

If the network with the new voltage system has not been extended to your building yet, we can most probably transfer your house to the new system within a year. If the transfer cannot be completed within a year for technical reasons, we will let you know.

We will install a new input cable and replace the old meters.

  • If a new external network has been installed as far as the new junction box, we will install the input cable free of charge at your request. The cable will later be transferred to your ownership and liability.
  • We will replace the old meters free of charge.
  • Arrange for the renovation of the internal electrical system of the building in the jointly used areas of the building and order the necessary measurements.

    To bring internal electrical systems of the house up to date, you have to complete the following work:

  • Prepare sites for the installation of the meters in corridors or jointly used rooms.
  • Arrange for the renovation of the internal electrical system of the building at least in the part of the building that is used jointly. We also recommend renovating the electrical systems of all apartments.
  • Order the required measurements and audit in order to check the conformity of the electrical system of your building. For energising the new input cable, please send documents necessary before energising (copy of the audit report or declaration) to [email protected] or by post. Order electrical work and measurement tests from licensed electrical companies.
  • You can find data on electrical companies for example:

  • Register of Economic Activities
  • website of the Estonian Association of Electrical Enterprises
  • Companies known to Elektrilevi that have participated in the adaptation of the electrical system to the new voltage system and have previous experience:

    1) Eesti Energia Electrical Works for private customer 777 4040 and for business customer 777 2020 [email protected]
    2) Laurifer OÜ | Phone: 56 243 297 [email protected]
    3) Tera AS | Phone: 52 43 555 [email protected]
    4) E-Elektritööd OÜ | Phone: 55 971721 [email protected]
    5) Reiner OÜ | Phone: 50 82497 [email protected]
    6) TOK OÜ | Phone: 53086824 [email protected]
    7) Elredi OÜ | Phone: 5653796 [email protected]
    8) ACDC Elekter | Phone: 5091567 [email protected]
    9) Elekter Eurona | Phone: 55564903 [email protected]
    10) Saare Elektritööd OÜ | Phone: 56 656 585 [email protected]
    11) Elektritehnika OÜ | Phone: 55 78412 [email protected]
    12) Elektrolink OÜ | Phone: 50 93920 [email protected]
    13) Elektritööde Ettevõte Aia OÜ | Phone: 53 086 824 [email protected]

    Dear company manager. If you want your company to be represented in this list, please let us know at [email protected]