Regulatory Other

On 23 December 2024, the Estonian Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority (TTJA) formally initiated the building permit procedure for the marine cable section of the fourth Estonia–Latvia electricity interconnection by decision No. 1-7/24-422, in response to Elering's 8 May 2024 application. The decision also opened the mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, including a transboundary EIA. TTJA cited potentially significant environmental effects, including extensive seabed dredging and impacts on Natura 2000 conservation objectives, as the trigger for mandatory EIA. The decision is a procedural milestone that locked in the EIA scope and timeline for the marine section running from southwest Saaremaa to Latvia and is a prerequisite for Elering subsequently submitting the EIA programme (which followed in July 2025).