põlevkivienergeetikat

Põlevkivienergeetika refers to the energy sector in Estonia that utilizes oil shale as its primary fuel source for electricity generation. Estonia is one of the few countries in the world that relies heavily on oil shale, a sedimentary rock rich in organic matter, for its energy needs. The vast majority of Estonia's electricity is produced from oil shale power plants, primarily located in the northeastern part of the country.

The extraction and combustion of oil shale involve open-pit mining operations. The mined oil shale is then transported to power plants where it is burned to produce steam, which drives turbines connected to generators. This process generates both electricity and heat, with some power plants also providing district heating to nearby communities. The energy industry is a significant employer and contributor to Estonia's economy, particularly in the Ida-Viru County where most of the oil shale resources are located.

However, põlevkivienergeetika is also associated with considerable environmental challenges. The combustion of oil shale releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. Furthermore, the process generates large volumes of ash and requires substantial amounts of water for cooling, leading to potential impacts on local ecosystems and water resources. Estonia has been exploring ways to mitigate these environmental effects and is gradually increasing its investment in renewable energy sources to diversify its energy mix and reduce its reliance on oil shale in the long term.