35.590 (2019)
4560,79km2
2019: 187.600t
2030: 132.000t

Rakvere is the administrative, economic and cultural centre of Lääne-Viru County. Rakvere is known for its museums, theatre, spa and several cultural events. Rakvere has been outstanding in organizing its energy economy, being the first city in Estonia to draw up the Sustainable Energy Action Plan and has been outstanding in the renovation of apartment buildings.

Mitigation activities

The climate and energy plan of the city of Rakvere sets a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030. Most of the emissions come from electricity consumption, followed by emissions from the transportation. Rakvere’s main challenges in reducing emissions are how to guide the private sector to consume less electricity and increase the share of renewable electricity consumption. Majority of emissions come from the services and industrial sectors.

The city depends on the network companies and the state for the construction of larger renewable electricity production units, as the necessary investments in the network amount to millions of euros. The city wants to be a role model and a driver for the private sector. It is planned to gradually switch to green-certified electricity contracts and install PV plants on their buildings.

In the development of wind energy, there are national defence restrictions in the region. In order to increase the use of solar energy, it is planned to map objects and areas suitable for installing solar plants and to encourage the development of renewable energy. City also plans to contribute to the creation of energy communities.

The city is investing in street lighting to switch to LEDs. By the end of 2022 much of the street lighting network was upgraded. District heating sector is well developed and low-emission, but the plan is to connect the city’s district heating networks, as well connect more buildings that consume fossil fuels to district heating.

In public transport, it is planned to switch to more sustainable fuels. The wider use of low-carbon fuels will also lead to the development of the necessary infrastructure and create opportunities for the private sector.

Adaptation activities

There will be no major climate risks in Rakvere, but more cycles of freezing-melting will appear which will increase the need for infrastructure maintenance, especially on roads and streets.

Winter maintenance of roads and streets needs to be stepped up and crisis preparedness developed and improved. It is necessary to develop an early warning system and pay regular attention to informing residents, conducting exercises and updating the crisis plans of rescue agencies and companies.


The SECAP was created by TREA and supported by CEESEU project.


The entire document is available on the link below in Estonian language.

SECAP – Rakvere Town, Estonia

The SECAP was implemented with the support of the CEESEU project. The CEESEU project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement GA: 892270.
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