8. RENEWABLE ENERGY

In 2017, Estonia’s share of renewables in electricity ranked 27th among IEA countries (Figure 8.7). The experiences of other IEA countries can offer insights on the pathways to achieving the 50% share of renewable electricity laid out in the National Development Plan of the Energy Sector until 2030 (NDPS 2030), (MEAC, 2017a).

Figure 8.7 Share of renewables in electricity generation in IEA countries, 2017

IEA 2019. All rights reserved.

*Bioenergy includes solid biofuels, renewable waste, liquid biofuels and biogases.

**Hydro includes hydro power (excluding pumped storage), and tidal, wave and ocean energy. Source: IEA (2019), World Energy Balances 2019, www.iea.org/statistics.

Renewables in heat production

In 2017, renewable energy covered 51.6% of Estonia’s heat consumption, with over 95% coming from bioenergy and 4.6% covered by heat pumps using renewable energy (Eurostat, 2018). The 2017 share of renewables in heat exceeded Estonia’s 2020 target of 38.4%, but significant progress is still needed to reach the 2030 target of 80% renewables in heat consumption.

Figure 8.8 shows the breakdown by type of fuel in heat consumption in the residential and commercial sectors (excluding heat from electricity), where bioenergy covered 63% (23% from use of biomass in district heating systems plus 40% from direct use of biomass is smaller systems outside of district heating networks).

Figure 8.8 Residential and commercial heat consumption by fuel, 2017

IEA 2019. All rights reserved.

Note: Excludes heat from electricity.

Source: IEA (2019), World Energy Balances 2019, www.iea.org/statistics.

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