Utilitas connected the district heating systems of Valga and Valka

Utilitas has connected the district heating systems of Valga and Valka, which helps to increase security of supply and reduce the use of fossil fuels. Heat started moving between the two cities already in the beginning of this heating season.

“At Utilitas, we are constantly looking for the best solutions on how to use assets and resources as efficiently as possible in order to offer our customers a high level of security of supply and environmentally friendly energy at a reasonable price. We are pleased to see that connecting district heating networks of Valga and Valka was not hindered by the state border and a solution suitable for cities was found, which brings cleaner energy to both,” said Priit Koit, CEO of Utilitas.

As the capacity of the biomass-fired cogeneration plant in Valka is higher than the heat consumption of the city, the surplus capacity can be used efficiently in Valga. The boiler house on the Estonian side also uses environmentally friendly wood chips to produce heat, but a reserve boiler house running on fossil fuels must also be used to cover peak capacities. The Valga boiler plant will continue to be the main production unit of the city of Valga, but with the support of the Valka cogeneration plant, we can reduce the use of fossil fuel sources and improve the environmental footprint of the heat that reaches homes.

“Valga and Valka – this is a city that does not fit in one country. Our people work and live together, and the proof of this is another joint project: the two cities now have a combined district heating system. In the case of heating, we talk about a vital service, and it is extremely significant that the state border is only symbolic and is not an obstacle to strengthening the security of supply. I thank Utilitas for their cooperation and investments. For us, Utilitas’ presence in the border town means a high quality of service and a sense of security, which means that people’s homes are warm and the environment is cared for,” said Monika Rogenbaum, head of Valga Municipality.

“This event has a double meaning. Firstly, the practical as Valga-Valka heat supply system will become safer, more efficient and more sustainable. Secondly, it is symbolic, as the two cities have many common projects, but for the first time two cities and two countries are connected to the same heating network, which is a critical infrastructure. At the same time, this will be done with private sector investments. This proves that there is still a great untapped potential in the joint economic activities of Latvia and Estonia,” explained Vents Armands Krauklis, the head of Valka municipality.

The construction works necessary for connecting the district heating systems of the two cities were completed at the end of August this year, more than 1600 meters of new pipelines were built, and heat began to move between the two cities at the beginning of this heating season.

Utilitas acquired Valka’s district heating business in March 2024, and the construction work required for the connection took place from May this year to the end of August. In addition to Valga, Utilitas offers district heating services in Tallinn, Maardu, Haapsalu, Rapla, Keila, Jõgeva, Kärdla and Paide.

Photos (Silver Gutmann) can be found from the gallery.