Estonia. Elering AS

The EUR 15 million loan has been provided for the construction of a 330 kV transmission line between Tartu, Viljandi and Sindi, linking southeast to southwest of Estonia. The new line will strengthen the transmission network in the western part of Estonia, which currently features only 110 kV transmission lines.

Elering will build an overhead 160-kilometre double-circuit 330- and 110 kV transmission line. The new transmission line will be mainly built along an existing 110 kV line. The construction began in early 2011 and is to be completed in 2014.

Elering AS is the state-owned Estonian transmission system operator. The company's customers are 12 electricity producers, 6 distribution networks, 6 industrial customers and 5 balance providers. Currently, Elering operates 5,227 kilometres of transmission lines and 146 substations.

The transmission line will provide higher security of supply in the Pärnu region (southwest Estonia). The new line is one of the technical preconditions for a new cross-border connection planned between Estonia and Latvia which will reinforce the Baltic electricity market. The capacity of the new line will allow connecting potential wind turbine parks in the western Estonia.

The main environmental impacts will occur during the construction of the transmission line. The line runs through several Natura2000 and other sensitive areas (such as nature-protection areas, wetlands and rivers) and there will be negative impacts on birds and plants while the construction is taking place as well as during the maintenance phase. The project has developed an Environmental Management Plan and a third party will perform the monitoring of the project.