Eesti Energia plans to build 225 MW pumped hydro project in Ida-Virumaa

Eesti Energia plans to build a 225 MW pumped hydroelectric power plant project in the industrial area of Ida-Virumaa, Estonia. The company has started the preliminary design and environmental impact assessment of the project which will utilize limestone rubble and closed mining tunnels created during the mining of oil shale in the planned construction site. 

The project's upper reservoir will be built on a tailings structure and the lower reservoir will use the closed mine. Water from the upper reservoir will be converted to energy through the hydroelectric facility when there is a lack of electricity. When there is a low demand for power and the electricity is cheap, the water is pumped back up to the reservoir and the process is to be repeated when needed. 

Eesti Energia targets to start the commercial operation of the plant in 2026.