When it comes to the energy transition, Estonia is taking things seriously. Last year, Estonian companies Sunly and Metsagrupp announced work on the 244-megawatt Risti solar park. The €120M facility represents the first phase of a planned hybrid energy complex in the region.
The installation will feature nearly 350,000 solar panels equipped with tracking technology to follow the sun’s path, maximising output during peak consumption hours. Once operational, the facility will generate enough electricity to power approximately 55,000 households annually.
Now, the project moves forward, as authorities have approved construction of what will be one of the Baltic region’s most significant grid-scale battery installations. It could help stabilise Estonia’s electricity supply during peak demand periods.
The 144-megawatt battery system, designed to store energy from the in-development Risti solar park, received its building permit last week, Sunly announced. When completed, the facility will provide 600 megawatt-hours of electricity—enough to meet approximately 10% of Estonia’s electricity demand for four consecutive hours during winter months.
“Batteries allow for stable electricity supply to consumers regardless of weather conditions,” said Adam Erki Enok, Sunly’s energy storage project manager in Estonia. “This significantly affects the production of solar and wind energy.”
Energy experts note that battery systems’ rapid response capabilities—able to activate within seconds—provide critical stability for grids increasingly reliant on intermittent renewable sources. The Risti battery is designed for short-term storage of two to four hours, positioning it to help flatten price spikes during evening demand peaks when solar production diminishes.
While battery systems like Risti address immediate grid balancing needs, longer-duration storage remains essential for extended low-production periods. A pumped hydro facility under construction in Paldiski will eventually provide 24-30 hours of capacity. “Only a combination of different technologies can cover 80 percent of Estonia’s electricity consumption from local wind and solar energy,” Enok noted.
Developers have designed the connection infrastructure to accommodate future expansion, with wind turbines planned for the site by 2028. The battery system is expected to be operational by 2027, following the solar installation’s completion next year.
There’s also a bigger vision in place. Developers intend to offer local businesses direct-line electricity purchase options that bypass grid fees, potentially creating an industrial development corridor centred around the energy complex.
Overall, the project represents one of the largest renewable energy investments in the region in recent years — and shows why Estonia is placed so high on the energy transition success scores. Once operational, it will also reduce dependency on imported power, opening ways to more efficient operations for business and industry.
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