From the beginning of 2026, a security of supply charge will be added to the network service invoice, which will help to ensure the availability of electricity even under difficult circumstances. The charge will be 0.758 cents per kWh. The renewable energy charge, collected from electricity end-users to finance renewable electricity support, will not change in the new year – it will remain at 0.84 cents per kWh. A balancing capacity charge will be added to electricity invoices, which will help to ensure the use of fast-response generation capacity. The charge will be 0.373 cents per kWh. The above prices do not include VAT.
New line item on the network invoice: security of supply charge
In accordance with the Electricity Market Act, a security of supply charge will be added to network service invoices from the beginning of 2026. The purpose of the charge is to maintain and establish dispatchable power plants that support the electricity system of Estonia in all circumstances. For example, in adverse weather conditions or when connections with other countries have been interrupted.
Power plants must be prepared to provide reserve capacity financed by the charge for at least four consecutive hours, at 16-hour intervals on ten consecutive days and for at least 200 hours per year. The cost of maintaining the necessary reserve capacity is approximately 60 million euros per year. To fund this cost, the charge added to the invoice for network services in 2026 will be 0.758 cents per kWh consumed (excluding VAT). For residential customers with average consumption, this will have an impact on their total invoice by approximately €2–3 per month.
The security of supply charge is calculated and published each year by the transmission network operator Elering. Distribution network operators, including Imatra Elekter, are responsible for collecting the charge from electricity consumers. Customers will see the security of supply charge for the first time on the invoice issued in February, which reflects consumption in January.
Read more about the security of supply charge on the website of Elering.
The renewable energy charge will not change in 2026
The share of electricity generated from renewable sources in Estonia has grown: 69% of all electricity was generated from renewable sources this year. Of this, 37% received support for renewable energy, meaning that the majority of renewable electricity is already being produced without support.
According to Elering, support for renewable energy is expected to total €74 million in 2026, with supported electricity production amounting to approximately 1.6 TWh. Of the support, €25 million is planned to be paid to solar parks, €22 million to wind farms, €21 million to biomass plants. In 2026, the renewable energy charge will remain at 0.84 cents per kWh (excluding VAT).
Read more about the renewable energy charge on the website of Elering.
New line item on the electricity invoice: balancing capacity charge
In accordance with the Electricity Market Act, a new line item in the form of a balancing capacity charge will be added to electricity invoices from the beginning of 2026. The purpose of the charge is to finance the use of fast-response generation capacities that keep the electricity system balanced at all times. The balancing capacity charge is applied to all consumers and electricity producers in a uniform manner, and its amount is determined by the system operator Elering. In 2026, the charge will be 0.373 cents per kWh for both electricity consumers and producers. For residential customers with average consumption, this will have an impact on their total invoice by approximately €1–1.5 per month.
Imatra Elekter applies the balancing capacity charge to customers who are sold electricity at the universal service or balancing electricity price. The charge will appear for the first time on the invoice issued in February, which reflects consumption in January. If Imatra Elekter only provides the network service and does not sell electricity to the customer, the balancing capacity charge will be billed to the customer by their electricity seller.
Read more about the balancing capacity charge on the website of Elering or ask your electricity service provider for more details.