CORRECTED - Renewables cover 14.9% of Estonia's power consumption in 2012

Jan 31, 2013 - The share of renewable power in Estonia's total electricity consumption increased by two percentage points on the year to 14.9% in 2012, surpassing the country's goals for the next few years, according to Estonian transmission system operator (TSO) Elering.

Estonia's Electricity Market Act amendment bill sets a target of 11.3% share of renewable power in 2013. By then, renewables' share will be 12.6%, based on renewable energy subsidy projections submitted by producers, Elering said in its statement on Wednesday.

Renewable electricity output in Estonia grew 18% year-on-year to 1.37 TWh in 2012. Biomass power output increased 15% to 880 GWh. Wind power generation rose 23% to 83 GWh, driven by new wind capacity additions.

As much as EUR 62.7 million (USD 85m) in renewable energy subsidies were issued last year, marking growth by a tenth, to 1.17 TWh of renewable power produced. Subsidies provided for wind power declined 7% due to lower efficiency factor of wind farms on worse wind conditions. Subsidies for combined heat and power production fell by 11% to EUR 4.2 million, issued to 132 GWh of power output of main combined heat and power producers.

The share of renewables in the fourth quarter only was 12.6% of Estonia's total power consumption, compared to 16.9% a year ago.

(EUR 1 = USD 1.356)

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