As of 2025, Estonia's electricity consumption profile reveals a significant reliance on imported energy. More than a third of its electricity, about 39%, is imported. In terms of domestic production, low-carbon energy sources account for almost 37% of the electricity generation, with wind energy and solar energy being prominent contributors—at roughly 16% and 14% respectively. Meanwhile, fossil energy sources make up a quarter of the total electricity consumption. Oil plays the largest role among fossil sources, contributing about 18%, followed by a smaller share from coal, at 6%. This high dependency on fossil fuels raises environmental concerns, given their impact on climate change and air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include Energy Institute, ENTSOE, Eurostat and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Estonia?
Electricity consumption per person in Estonia has seen a sizable decrease when compared to historical records, which implies a worrying trend. In 2025, each person consumed approximately 5,667 kWh of electricity, which is drastically lower than the previous record high of around 11,690 kWh per person recorded in 1986. This marks a notable decline of over 6,000 kWh per person. Additionally, the share of electricity generated from low-carbon sources per capita fell to 2,093 kWh, down from the 2024 record of 2,395 kWh per person. Concerns about the downturn in low-carbon electricity generation should be addressed, as sustainable electricity growth is critical for long-term energy security and environmental stewardship.
Suggestions
For Estonia to boost its low-carbon electricity generation, expanding wind and solar energy capacities should be prioritized, as these are already significant contributors. Estonia can draw insights from regions that have excelled in wind and nuclear energy utilization. By observing countries like Denmark and its substantial wind energy share of 58%, Estonia could further harness its windy geography. Concurrently, insights from countries such as Slovakia or regions like New Hampshire, where nuclear contributes significantly at around 66% and 54% respectively, could guide Estonia in potentially developing a nuclear energy sector. Such clean energy expansions are opportunities for Estonia to reduce its fossil fuel dependency and usher in a more sustainable electricity landscape.
History
Close observation of Estonia's historical trends in low-carbon electricity indicates several shifts over the years. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, biofuels saw modest growth before experiencing minor fluctuations in subsequent years. The 2010s also witnessed the initial push in wind energy, which faced a brief setback in 2016 but gradually resumed its upward trajectory. Solar emerged more prominently in the early 2020s, gaining consistent additions since then. The recent year, 2025, saw declines in biofuels while wind and solar showed slight increases. The pattern underscores the resilience and importance of wind and solar energies as Estonia pivots towards strengthening its low-carbon electricity generation. Estonia should harness these positive trends, alongside evaluating the potential of incorporating nuclear energy for sustained growth in clean energy production.
