Renewable energy accounted for 87% of Utilitas’ production in the second quarter

The companies of the energy group Utilitas produced 306 GWh of renewable energy in the second quarter of this year, which accounted for 87% of the group’s total energy production.

In total, Utilitas produced nearly 355 GWh of energy in the second quarter, of which 264 GWh was heat and 90 GWh was electricity. Compared to the same period last year, sales of district cooling doubled, exceeding 1 GWh in the second quarter.

In order to ensure energy security and minimize the share of imported fossil fuels, Utilitas will invest in the construction of new heat and power production capacities and continue the reconstruction of district heating networks. Utilitas will fully replace the old pipeline built before 1995 with modernized pre-insulated pipes to ensure security of supply, reduce heat losses and the associated negative environmental impact. For example, of the capital’s 512-kilometer network, 65% has already been reconstructed. Last year, Utilitas built 26 kilometers and in 2021 28 kilometers of new pipelines, this year the works will be carried out in the same range.

“In the summer, the focus is on the reconstruction of the pipelines. The modernization of the infrastructure can only be carried out outside the active heating season but, unfortunately, construction causes inconvenience when moving around in the city. We try to plan the work in cooperation with other partners for the period of road construction and the least traffic,” said Priit Koit, head of the Utilitas group. “For example, in cooperation with the builders, we found a way to accommodate the work of Tartu maantee and Liivalaia junction in between the end of studies at schools and the song and dance festival. At the proposal of the city, we have also postponed the works to connect Sikupilli shopping center to the district heating network, which is now planned for the second quarter of October, in order to take into account the completion of the works on Pronksi Street,” he added.

In addition to district heating, Utilitas is also developing a district cooling service in the capital in synergy with district heating and is building its trunk pipeline in the city center area. District cooling is the most environmentally friendly and reliable way to cool the buildings in the city, at the same time creating a healthy indoor climate in them. District cooling is very common in Nordic countries, and the demand for the service is constantly increasing in Estonia as well.