In the first quarter of 2022, Elektrilevi received a total of 3,354 applications for connection from electricity producers, which is 2,368 applications more than at the same time last year, i.e. the number of connection applications has more than tripled. The most popular option continues to be connection as a micro-producer, i.e. a solar power plant with a capacity of up to 15 kilowatts (kW). While a total of almost 600 micro-producers were added throughout the whole of 2021, just the first three months of 2022 have seen the addition of 536 micro-producers.

The 536 micro-producers added in the first quarter of 2022 included 181 users of nano-generating units (capacity of less than 0.8 kW), i.e. consumers who produced part of the electricity they needed themselves on site (e.g., for mobile phone charging). Electricity producers (capacity of over 15 kW) added in the first quarter of 2022 numbered 282 (with a total capacity of 13 MW).

By the end of March, electricity production occurred in Elektrilevi’s network at a total of 11,434 consumption points, of which 4,951 involved micro-producers (capacity of up to 15 kW), including 225 users of nano-generating units and 6,483 electricity producers (capacity of over 15 kW). As of 31 March, the total electricity generation capacity in the network was 503 MW, including 405 MW from solar power plants.

‘I am pleased to see that such a large number of Estonians are contributing to the green transition and are taking concrete steps to make their electricity consumption more environment-friendly. Over the first quarter, we have already received almost as many micro-producer connection applications as we did over the whole of the previous year, and it appears that this upward trend will continue. In response to our customers’ requests, we also processed producer connections over the weekends due to Kredex’s newly launched support measure in order to shorten the waiting times. Nevertheless, we ask all applicants to be patient in waiting for an offer,’ stated Mihkel Härm, CEO of Elektrilevi.

‘This strong interest in producer connections has also led to a bit of confusion regarding network contract terms: namely there are a number clients who have supplied more power to the grid than agreed in the terms of the contract. We ask everyone to check the settings of their generating units and bring them into line with the contract. Higher use of the network connection capacity can lead to disruptions in the electricity network and can affect the reliability and safety of all our electrical equipment,’ Härm added.

In March 2022, Elektrilevi received 1,111 applications for connection from electricity producers, which is 670 applications more than at the same time last year.

The distribution of the 1,111 connection applications submitted in March is as follows:

electricity producers producing over 15 kW: 291 applications with a total capacity of 134.8 MW;

micro-producers, i.e. those producing up to 15 kW: 820 applications with a total capacity of 9.5 MW.

The number of connection contracts concluded in March was 414, including:

electricity producers producing over 15 kW: 71 contracts with a total capacity of 37.6 MW;

micro-producers, i.e. those producing up to 15 kW: 343 contracts with a total capacity of 3.8 MW.

In March, network connections were completed for a total of 283 electricity producers, including:

electricity producers producing over 15 kW: 67 producers with a total capacity of 18.7 MW;

micro-producers, i.e. those producing up to 15 kW: 216 producers with a total capacity of 2.5 MW.

Illustrative table on electricity generation in Elektrilevi’s network during 2019–2022 (Q1)

Elektrilevi’s webinar on how to become a micro-producer will take place on 12 April at 16:00. Find out more HERE.