The development of the Estlink HVDC submarine power cables was a collaborative effort involving various organizations, leaders, and individuals.
Key Individuals and Groups Responsible for Estlink
Andres Tropp (Eesti Energia):
A prominent figure in Estonia’s energy sector during the early 2000s.
Advocated for energy independence and closer integration with European energy markets.
Instrumental in forming the consortium of energy companies that initiated Estlink 1.
Jukka Ruusunen (Fingrid CEO):
A Finnish energy leader deeply involved in facilitating the collaboration between Finland and Estonia.
Played a significant role in overseeing the transition of Estlink ownership to Fingrid and Elering in 2013.
Political Leaders
Andrus Ansip (Prime Minister of Estonia, 2005–2014):
Strongly supported Estonia’s energy independence from Russia.
Advocated for regional cooperation to integrate Baltic electricity markets into the Nordic grid.
Alexander Stubb (Prime Minister of Finland, later Foreign Minister):
Encouraged Finland’s active participation in cross-border energy projects with the Baltics.
Advocated for EU funding and policy support for Estlink 2.
Günther Oettinger (2010–2014):
As European Commissioner for Energy, Oettinger prioritized infrastructure projects like Estlink 2 under the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR).
Secured €100 million in EU funding for Estlink 2.
Supported Baltic States’ efforts to integrate with the European energy grid.
European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E):
Coordinated the technical and regulatory frameworks to ensure compatibility between the Baltic and Nordic grids.
Technical Experts and Contractors
ABB Group:
The Swiss-Swedish engineering company responsible for designing, constructing, and installing both Estlink 1 and Estlink 2.
Key figures within ABB:
Ulrich Spiesshofer (CEO during Estlink 2's completion phase): Oversaw ABB’s global energy infrastructure projects.
Engineering teams specializing in HVDC Light technology.
Transmission System Operators (TSOs)
Elering (Estonia):
Led by executives like Taavi Veskimägi, Elering played a central role in operating and maintaining the Estlink cables after acquiring ownership in 2013.
Advocated for Estonia’s deeper integration with European energy systems.
Fingrid (Finland):
Worked closely with Elering to manage the technical and financial aspects of the Estlink projects.
Energy Consortium for Estlink 1:
Eesti Energia (Estonia)
Latvenergo (Latvia)
Lietuvos Energija (Lithuania)
Pohjolan Voima (Finland)
This consortium initiated Estlink 1 as the first interconnection between the Baltic States and the Nordic grid.
Public Ownership Transition:
In 2013, the ownership of Estlink 1 was transferred to the TSOs (Elering and Fingrid), ensuring its operation as a public infrastructure asset.
