After fulfilling the standard conditions required to complete the transaction, Gren has finalized the acquisition process of Esro, an energy company operating in the Viljandi region in Estonia. 

Gren will continue to provide district heating services in Viljandi under the name Gren Viljandi AS, while electricity sales will be conducted under the name Gren Sakala OÜ. The change in ownership, branding, and company name will not affect the commitments and obligations made to customers. 

Margo Külaots, Head of Gren in Estonia, stated: “For over 20 years, our team in Estonia has been developing district heating services for customers in Pärnu and Tartu. For the past two years, we have managed the district heating network in the Kohtla-Järve, Jõhvi, and Ahtme areas. We believe our extensive experience will bring positive developments and new services to the residents and businesses of Viljandi. Viljandi is a beautiful and growing town, and Gren’s goal is to offer reliable, affordable, and convenient heating energy to the community. District heating is the most efficient solution for providing the necessary heat to communities the size of Viljandi. The district heating system in Viljandi has been well maintained and responsibly managed. The foundation is strong, and we have the opportunity to further develop it by adding our resources and expertise. 

Gren aims to grow not only in the district heating sector but also to be a leader in other energy fields.  

“We have transitioned both the Tartu and Pärnu district heating systems to local biofuels, established efficient combined heat and power plants, continuously modernize district heating networks in all our operational areas, and expand them by connecting new customers. We were the first to introduce a new service – district cooling – in the Baltic region, which is now operating in both Tartu and Pärnu. We were also the first in Estonia to implement a heat storage system at the Tartu cogeneration plant to enhance energy savings,” Külaots added. 

Gren now operates now in four locations across Estonia: Tartu, Pärnu, Viljandi, and the Jõhvi, Kohtla-Järve, and Ahtme regions in Ida-Virumaa. Gren’s Estonian companies employ nearly 190 people in total. In 2023, Gren sold 1,049 GWh of thermal energy, 12 GWh of cooling, and 243 GWh of electricity in Estonia. Gren’s Estonian companies hold ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 management system certifications, as well as energy efficiency labels for district heating. 

Photo: Siim Verner Teder (visitviljandi.ee)