Estiko Energia, part of the Estiko Group, has launched the second phase of construction at its Raadi solar power plant. The new section is scheduled for completion by next summer and, once fully operational, will be capable of covering around 75% of the electricity needs of Tartu’s residential consumers.
According to Ain Tammvere, CEO of Estiko Energia, building the Raadi solar park presents a considerable challenge due to the many factors that must be carefully managed. Compared to the first phase — completed in the summer of 2024 — the second phase is significantly larger, covering nearly 90 hectares.
“You could easily walk from one end of the first phase to the other, but now the distances are much greater. Some days we end up walking more than 10 kilometers,” Tammvere explained.
Another major difference is the connection setup. While the first phase was linked to the local distribution network, the second phase will feed power directly into Elering’s national grid via the Ülejõe substation. “The technology is completely different this time,” Tammvere noted.
In this phase, the solar panels are installed on movable tracking frames controlled by four weather stations. “The panels face east in the morning, turn south during the day, and west in the evening,” said Tammvere. The longest rotating axis spans more than 100 meters.
The tracking system is relatively new but increasingly common in large-scale solar projects. It can boost energy production by 20–30%. “This allows us to start generating electricity earlier in the morning and continue later into the evening—precisely when demand and prices are higher,” Tammvere explained. The advanced technology, however, also requires a greater investment.
Although pile driving and frame construction begin this week, much of the work will take place over the winter. Snow and ice will make construction more complicated, but postponement isn’t an option, as the entire project must be ready by July next year. The schedule does, however, include allowances for potential pauses caused by extreme cold.
Roughly a quarter of the solar panels have already arrived on site, with deliveries continuing through the end of the year. In total, the solar park will include over 80,000 panels, delivered by 150 truckloads. So far, 7.5 kilometers of fencing and more than 3 kilometers of service roads have been completed.
At the same time, Estiko Energia is also developing energy storage solutions. The company is currently analyzing options and conducting financial modeling to determine the optimal long-term setup.
The first phase of the Raadi solar power plant, completed in summer 2024, has already generated 12 GWh of electricity to date.