Public interest in the generation of renewable energy has grown exponentially in recent years, with the total capacity of grid-connected generators having increased tenfold in just a few years, as a result of which, in certain regions, connection capacities in both the distribution and transmission networks have now been exhausted.

In western Saaremaa: Connecting additional producers requires increasing the transmission capacity of the existing 35 kV power lines to ensure that the voltages remain within specified limits after the producers are connected to the grid. In order to identify the needs for increasing the transmission capacity of the grid, we perform grid calculations to determine the costs associated with the grid upgrade for the particular connection. The need to increase the transmission capacity of the 35 kV power lines makes it very costly for customers to obtain generation capacities in certain regions.

Across Estonia, in certain regions, before additional producers can be connected, it is necessary to increase the transmission capacity of the grid, including transmission capacity between the distribution network and the transmission network, as a result of which customers are being quoted high prices for connection. When preparing connection quotes, we perform grid calculations, which are used to determine the grid upgrades necessary for the particular connection in order to ensure that the transmission capacity of and voltages in the electrical grid will remain within specified limits after the additional generation capacities are connected.

Elektrilevi is working with the state and its partners to accelerate the development of the grid and the creation of additional connection capacity through further investments to boost the capacity for power generation.