Estonia is a hotspot for many unique circular economy projects. One such project is the country’s first pumped storage hydroelectric plant being built at the site of a mine in Ida-Virumaa.

The 225MW plant will be constructed using limestone rubble and closed tunnels created during the mining of oil shale. The upper reservoir will be built on a tailings structure, and a closed mine will be used as the lower reservoir.

The project is an extension of energy company Enefit’s sustainability strategy and represents the remarkable progress Estonia is making on its path to energy transition.

Margus Vals, a Member of the Management Board of Enefit joined Pamela Largue for an enlightening discussion on this pumped hydro project. Vals also provided a snapshot of Estonia’s energy sector, it’s plan for energy independence and shift to renewables.