Starting next year, City of Tartu will consume only renewable energy
Tartu City Government Press Release
28 August / The City of Tartu is set to conclude an agreement with AS Alexela for the purchasing of electricity for street lighting and city agencies, with the city set to consume only green electricity starting next year.
In 2015, the Tartu City Council established an action plan for the city’s sustainable energy economy, the strategic goal of which is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions related to energy consumption. Based on this goal, the city will conclude an agreement for the purchasing of electricity, which will increase the share of green electricity to one hundred percent starting next year.
‘By transitioning completely to green electricity, the City of Tartu is taking a very big step towards becoming a carbon-neutral local government, because electricity generated from non-renewable sources comprises the largest share of our current carbon emissions. The next big challenge for us is the introduction of renewable fuels in connection with important services procured by the city, such as waste transport and street maintenance, although the possibility of this transition still needs to be analysed’, said Deputy Mayor Raimond Tamm.
A contract will be concluded for the purchasing of electricity for street lighting, city institutions, as well as nursery schools and schools, with a total volume of 19,700 MWh per year. Electricity will be purchased in 2021-2022 at the stock exchange price, AS Alexela offered a margin of 0.84 EUR/MWh. The supplying of electricity will begin on 1 January.
In recent years, Tartu has taken great steps in moving towards a more sustainable living environment. Already today, only renewable energy is being used in Tartu’s public transport – all city buses run on biogas, and the wheels of the bicycles in Tartu’s Smart Bike Share are powered with the help of green electricity. In street lighting, energy-intensive sodium lamps are gradually being replaced by energy-efficient LED lamps. City-owned buildings rely predominantly on district heating, with nearly 85% being produced from renewable energy sources.
Last changed 28.08.2020
