On 8 May 2025, following analysis of multiple onshore and offshore route corridors, Elering concluded that Aulepa is the optimal landing point for the EstLink 3 subsea cable and requested initiation of a national special spatial plan for a new 330 kV Rehemäe–Aulepa overhead line to connect the cable to the existing Estonian transmission network and accommodate the link’s full 700 MW capacity and potential future offshore wind generation.
By May 2025, Elering confirms that EstLink 3, designated by the EU as a Project of Common Interest, is planned to be financed through a combination of EU funds and congestion revenue from interconnector capacity, so that its construction will not raise overall electricity prices for consumers. In parallel coverage, the total cost of the 700 MW HVDC link between Estonia and Finland is estimated at about €1.1 billion, with Estonia’s share slightly over €600 million, and around half of the project cost expected to be covered by EU funding and the remainder by congestion income.
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EstLink 3 is a planned HVDC subsea interconnector between Estonia and Finland intended to strengthen Baltic–Nordic market integration, improve security of supply and facilitate renewable energy exchange. The project is designated as a Project of Common Interest by the European Commission and is p...
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Third electricity interconnection between Estonia and Finland, Third submarine cable connection between Estonia and Finland, Third power connection between Estonia and Finland, Third submarine cable link between Estonia and Finland
On 31 March 2025, Elering submitted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) programme for the marine section of the EstLink 3 Estonia–Finland interconnector to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (CPTRA) for approval. The programme defines the area of influence, environmental components to be studied, and methodological requirements for the EIA of the subsea cable, and serves as the approved basis for preparing the full EIA report expected by 2027.
Starting 31 March 2025, the EIA programme for the EstLink 3 marine section entered public consultation in Estonia and in a transboundary context with Finland. CPTRA made the programme publicly available with a comment period from 31 March to 21 April 2025 and a public meeting on 23 April 2025 at Sutlepa Community Centre in Lääne‑Nigula municipality, while the Ministry of Climate invited Finnish authorities to submit comments by 31 May 2025 as part of the Espoo Convention process.
On 3 September 2024, Estonia notified Finland under Article 3 of the Espoo Convention about the planned EstLink 3 submarine power cable project, thereby initiating a transboundary environmental impact assessment (EIA) consultation. The notification, sent by Estonia’s Ministry of Climate regarding developer Elering’s project, invited Finland to participate in assessing cross‑border environmental impacts; Finland, via the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) and other authorities, later confirmed its participation and the need to evaluate potential impacts on sensitive Gulf of Finland marine and Natura 2000 areas.
On 6 August 2024, Estonia’s Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (CPTRA) formally initiated the building permit procedure for the offshore section of EstLink 3, establishing the process to grant construction rights for the subsea cable and its landfall at Hara Bay in Lääne‑Nigula municipality. This procedure follows Elering’s permit request and is required before offshore construction of the EstLink 3 cable in Estonian waters can proceed.
On 26 July 2024, Elering submitted an application to the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture to initiate a national designated spatial plan to upgrade Estonia’s onshore transmission system in connection with the EstLink 3 interconnector. The plan covers grid reinforcements including a new high‑voltage substation near Lake Ülemiste in Tallinn, new 330 kV overhead lines to Aruküla and Kiisa substations, and reconstruction of several existing 330 kV lines to accommodate EstLink 3 capacity and future offshore wind integration.
On 8 February 2024, Elering stated that it had analysed various potential locations for the EstLink 3 interconnection and now considers northwestern Estonia, with an onshore connection point in Lääne-Nigula municipality, to be the most promising area, applying to the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority for a superficies licence for the submarine cable including coordinates for the prospective landfall.
On 22 January 2024, Estonian media reported that transmission system operator Elering is applying for European Union funding to support the construction of the EstLink 3 Estonia–Finland HVDC interconnector, which is planned to provide 700 MW of transmission capacity. This application for EU capital support is part of the project’s early development and financing preparations ahead of an eventual investment decision.
In November 2023, Estonian transmission system operator Elering submitted an application to the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture to initiate a national special spatial planning procedure for the EstLink 3 onshore section, specifically a 330 kV high‑voltage overhead line between the Rehemäe substation and a new converter station at Aulepa and the associated buildings. This special plan is required to define the route and enable development consent for the key onshore transmission assets of the Estonia–Finland EstLink 3 interconnector.
On 29 November 2023, the European Commission granted EstLink 3, the planned third submarine electricity interconnector between Estonia and Finland, the status of a Project of Common Interest (PCI). Fingrid reported that EstLink 3 was included on the Commission’s official PCI list alongside other cross-border transmission line projects, recognising its importance for EU energy policy goals and enabling accelerated permitting and access to potential EU funding.
By early February 2023, Elering had applied to Estonia’s Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (CPTRA) for a superficies licence to construct the submarine part of the EstLink 3 electricity interconnection, with the onshore connection point in northwestern Estonia (Lääne‑Nigula municipality). The superficies licence would grant long‑term rights to use the public water area and seabed needed for installing and operating the EstLink 3 submarine cable in Estonian waters.
By 28 June 2022, a preliminary onshore route study commissioned by Estonian TSO Elering for the EstLink 3 interconnector had been completed, identifying the Paldiski region in Estonia as having some of the best prospects as a starting point for the land route of the cable connection to Finland.
On 28 June 2022, Estonian transmission system operator Elering and Finnish TSO Fingrid signed a memorandum of understanding/letter of intent to launch joint activities and the planning process for EstLink 3, the third electricity interconnection between Estonia and Finland. The agreement covers technical aspects, required investments and schedule for the new 700–1,000 MW HVDC submarine cable link, expected to enhance Baltic Sea regional energy security and support market integration and climate and renewable energy targets.
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