The former Communist countries in the Baltic region are faced with a range of energy-related environmental problems. The countries share a significant need to utilise energy sources in a more rational way to reduce environmental loads. And this aim can only be achieved if they succeed in lowering the negative impact of an energy consumption essentially based on fossil (and nuclear) fuel.

This is why funds are being spent on developing and demonstrating alternatives to polluting fuels and unsafe nuclear power plants.

Four target areas

Four target areas are given high priority in the Danish Energy Agency sector programme. First the Danish Energy Agency targets many activities at providing environmentally friendly and financially viable alternatives to existing energy production – not least the unsafe nuclear power plants. Secondly, efforts are made to rationalize energy supplies through, for instance, rehabilitation of heating supplies, increased combined heat and power production and renovation of supply systems. Thirdly, it is directing efforts at end-user energy-savings by utilising energy-saving technology and changing user behaviour through energy management, demonstration projects and information. Finally, it is also focusing on strengthening institutional development in the field of energy through education and training.

The Agency's activities consist of capacity-building projects supplying consultancy and training to various players in the energy sectors. Due to the programme's limited resources and the scale of the problems, equipment projects are only realised to a small degree. In this case assistance is primarily targeted at establishing demonstration plants to illustrate the effectiveness and financial advantages of certain technologies.

Additional information

Information on the energy-related part of Danish sector-integrated environment assistance is available from:

Danish Energy Agency
Bilateral Cooperation
Amaliegade 44
DK-1256 Copenhagen K
Tel.: +45 33 92 67 00
Fax: +45 33 92 68 11
E-mail: ens@ens.dk
www.ens.dk

Environmental-friendly district heating reduces sulphur and CO2 emissions markedly

For many years, sulphurous shale oil was the chief energy source in the district heating plant of Estonian coastal city Pärnu. Compared with other energy sources, the oil was heavily polluting, but also very cheap in the Soviet era. However, oil prices rose after the breakup of the Soviet Union, and the plant became in urgent need of modernising.

Danish consultancy

Consequently, the Pärnu plant has in recent years upgraded and pollution-controlled its district heating system. The project was realised with Danish consultancy for DKK 6m from the Danish Energy Agency sector-integrated environment programme and through loans in the European Investment Bank. Danish consultancy consisted of providing assistance to achieve international loan financing through, for instance, setting up a plan to renovate the district heating system. In addition, the Danish Energy Agency assisted in the renovation and, finally, supported the implementation of an information campaign. The renovation comprised the installation of two biomass furnaces (for peat or shavings), pumps, water-treatment equipment, 4.5 km of district heating piping and upgrading of a large number of heat exchanger stations.

Reduction of sulphur and CO2

A tangible outcome of the project is a reduction in consumption of sulphurous shale oil from 14,000 to 8,000 tonnes in three years, whereas 26,000 tonnes of biomass are now consumed annually, primarily locally produced peat. Environmentally, shavings would be better, but is still too expensive. Additionally, the project means that the sulphur pollution has dropped by 12 percent, whereas the CO2 emissions are down by 10 percent. Consumption of shavings will reduce emissions even further.

Partners

Central energy authorities of the recipient countries are the most significant partners. They will ensure that assistance is targeted at the most critical needs while also assuring long-term and strategic activities.

[Front Page] [Contents] [Previous] [Next] [Top]

Cleaner energy in the Baltic region