Prices for almost all types of heating to rise in Estonia — ERR News
In Estonia, nearly all types of heating will become more expensive with the start of the heating season, with natural gas consumers expected to face the most significant increase in costs. As ERR News reports, the market price of gas has increased 2.5-fold compared with the previous heating season amid the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.
Households in the country use district heating, wood-burning stoves, gas heating and heat pumps. Firewood prices have risen only slightly over the year due to stable raw material costs. Mart Liivak, head of Harju Puu, said that dry firewood may become more expensive by a maximum of 5–10%. At the same time, the cost of wood pellets has reached a record level: the usual summer price decline did not occur due to increased exports of Estonian pellets to Poland.
District heating prices rise
Utilitas Estonia operates eight district heating areas, including in Tallinn and Maardu. According to the company’s head, Robert Kitt, prices are rising by an average of around 10% in five of the eight areas. He linked this to higher fuel costs: the price of wood chips has increased by approximately 20%, according to the company’s estimates, while the Iru waste-to-energy plant raised its price by 6% in spring.
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Heat supply companies generate between one-third and one-half of their heat using natural gas. Elenger’s commercial director, Armen Kasparov, noted that the average gas price in the previous heating season was €0.54 per cubic metre, while it is now €0.96. According to him, customers with tariffs tied to the market price can expect their costs to rise by 35–40% compared with last season.
Narva requests permission for reserve fuel
The most difficult situation has developed in Narva, where the district heating system largely depends on gas. Mayor Jaan Toots said that the price of heat in the city had risen to €137 per megawatt-hour, the highest rate in Estonia. The city is asking the state to grant special permission to use shale oil for heating this winter, as natural gas is currently more expensive than this fuel.
According to Toots, 30% of Narva’s residents are pensioners and 13% are unemployed. He also pointed to high heating costs in uninsulated apartment buildings with outdated windows. The Environmental Board is expected to issue Narva a special permit next week. Utilitas is also considering applying for permission to use reserve fuel.
