Katlamajad

Katlamajad, the Estonian term for heating plants, are facilities that generate heat for district heating networks. They form a central part of urban energy systems, producing hot water or steam that is distributed through insulated pipelines to homes, workplaces, and public buildings.

Most katlamajad vary in size and complexity. They can be small municipal boilers serving a neighborhood or large combined heat and power (CHP) plants that produce both heat and electricity. The plants use a range of fuels, including natural gas, oil, coal, peat, biomass, landfill or waste-derived fuels, and, in some regions, oil shale. Modern installations often optimize heat and power output to match demand, and may include thermal storage to balance supply.

In Estonia and several other Northern European countries, many older katlamajad were built to burn locally available fuels such as oil shale or peat. Over time, modernization programs have diversified fuel sources toward natural gas, biomass, and waste-to-energy options, with an emphasis on improving efficiency and reducing emissions. Upgrading can involve adopting cogeneration, upgrading boilers, installing flue gas cleaning, and integrating with automated control systems for better demand management.

Operationally, katlamajad are operated by district heating companies and connected to extensive networks that deliver heat seasonally, with peak demand in cold winters. They play a key role in energy security and urban infrastructure, balancing reliability, efficiency, and environmental considerations in the broader transition toward cleaner heating solutions.