Survey of Energy Resources 2007
Peat Country Notes
Peatlands are a major feature of the topography of Estonia, occupying about 22% of its territory. They are distributed throughout the country, with the largest mires being located on the plains. Estonia has a long history of peat utilisation: mechanised harvesting dates from 1861, whilst the first peat-fired power plant was operating in 1918 and peat briquetting began in 1939. Total peat resources are estimated to be 1.64 billion tonnes, of which active resources amount to 1.12 billion tonnes. At 1 January 2004, economically and ecologically exploitable deposits of highly-decomposed (HD) peat, suitable for fuel use, were some 241 million tonnes.
The use of peat for fuel is currently in the order of 300 000 tonnes per annum. Much of the peat is consumed in the form of briquettes - in 2004 briquette production totalled 68 000 tonnes; 78 000 tonnes of briquettes were exported (some ex-stockpiles), the balance being very largely consumed in the residential sector. Most of the consumption of un-briquetted peat is accounted for by district heating and electricity generation (mainly CHP); 2005 usage in this sector was some 10 000 tonnes. Some sod peat (about 28 000 tonnes in 2004) is exported.