The city of power engineering

In Estonia, first power plants of general purpose, as well as first industrial power plants were built at the end of the 19th century, and in the beginning of the 20th century. Until the October Communist Revolution in 1917, development of power engineering in the Narva had been associated with such industrial enterprises as the Kreenholm Manufactory, the Narva Flax Mill, and the Narva Clothing Factory. These enterprises used power acquired from the waterfalls of the Narva River. At that time, gaslight was used for illumination. Electric energy was first used in 1898-1900, mostly for lighting purposes. Utilisation of electric energy has became more common since 1912. Electricity was first provided to inhabitants of Narva in 1918. Construction of local supply networks began in 1920, on the basis of industrial power plants.

The Balti Power Plant is one of the largest oil-shale burning power stations in the world. The station was built in 1959-1965. It is currently included into the common power system of the Baltic States. The Balti Power Plant is the only centralised source of thermal energy and heating for the city of Narva. It also provides numerous industrial enterprises with technological steam.

The Eesti Power Plant is the largest oil shale-fuelled power plant in the world. Local low-thermal-value oil shale is being used. Construction of the Eesti Power Plant began in July 1963. The boiler units installed at Eesti Power Plant are purposely designed for oil shale burning. The location of a power plant is also conditioned by environmental conditions and availability of the required amount of water.
Oil shale is one of the most important mineral products found in Estonia. By outside appearance it resembles brownish, flaky stone. Oil shale contains significant amount of non-combustible material, i.e. ash. Absolutely dry oil shale can be lit with a match. That is the reason why oil shale is referred to as "burning rock" in Estonian.

The joint-stock company AS Narva Elektrijaamad (Narva Power Plants) was founded in 1999 on the basis of Balti and Eesti Power Plants, both owned by "Eesti Energia" - 100 per cent state-owned company, engaged in power production, transmission, distribution and sales as well as other power-related services. These two power plants were merged to increase the cost efficiency.

by Mr Sergei Muiznieks