Environmental Board allows Eesti Energia to heat Narva with shale oil, but only under conditions
Estonia's Environmental Board has given Eesti Energia a conditional permit to use shale oil instead of natural gas for heating Narva, but only if gas supplies are at risk of disruption. It remains unclear whether the company will be able to use it.
The Environmental Board of Estonia has granted Eesti Energia permission to use shale oil in place of natural gas for Narva's heating. The permit is conditional: the oil may be used only if there is a risk that gas supplies will be disrupted.
Narva was last heated with shale oil four years ago, when natural gas prices were extremely high. At that time, Enefit Power was allowed to use the fuel throughout the entire heating season.
Enefit Power is also forecasting supply problems this year, yet it is still uncertain whether the company will be able to use the cheaper shale oil.
The company's CEO, Raine Pajo, said he cannot yet confirm this with complete certainty, although he is optimistic. The analysis is still ongoing, and he will be able to give a definitive answer once it is finished. According to him, the environmental permit has been received but is conditional, so the company must now assess what it can offer the city on the one hand and the risk of gas supply disruptions on the other.
