From concept to completion: Smartecon delivers Raadi solar park
On 7 October, Estiko Energia opened southern Estonia’s largest solar park in Raadi, built by Smartecon, part of Verston Group. With a peak capacity of 74 MWp, the park can meet nearly half of Tartu households’ annual electricity needs. Smartecon delivered a turnkey solution, from design to grid connection.
Located on 106 hectares of the former Raadi military airfield, the park comprises 104,230 solar panels and 203 inverters. It also includes a 110/33 kV substation, seven weather stations and 3.3 kilometres of service roads. Green areas have been retained to support biodiversity and provide habitats for small wildlife.
Smartecon has more than ten years of experience in solar energy and has also worked with Estiko Energia on previous solar park projects.
“We thank Estiko Energia for entrusting us with responsibility for the entire solution, from design to grid connection. In a project like this, the engineers’ task is to bring thousands of devices and different systems together into one integrated solution. For the client, a turnkey solution means having a single accountable partner who oversees both the details and the outcome,” said Magno Kure, CEO of Smartecon.
According to Ain Tammvere, Head of Estiko Energia, this has been a long process requiring careful consideration of both the site’s characteristics and challenging weather conditions. “Today, we can say that more than 100 hectares of neglected land have been given a new lease of life and a new purpose,” Tammvere said.
Estiko Energia plans to add a battery energy storage system with a power capacity of 20 MW and a storage capacity of 40 MWh in February 2027. This will help reduce pressure on the electricity grid during peak hours and support more stable energy use.
Estiko Energia invested more than EUR 40 million in the Raadi solar park. Since March 2025, the Finnish investment fund UB Renewable Energy has held a 49% stake in the company.
Raadi solar park in figures
- Peak capacity: 74 MWp
- Solar panels: 104,230
- Area: 106 hectares
- Inverters: 203
- Weather stations: 7
- Service roads: 3.3 km
- Main substation: 110/33 kV
Founded in 2012, Smartecon OÜ is an energy infrastructure company that designs, builds and maintains energy production and storage solutions. Over 14 years, the company has built more than 1,000 solar power plants across five countries. In 2025, it reported revenue of nearly EUR 35 million and a net profit of EUR 0.3 million. Smartecon is part of Verston Group.
Verston is an infrastructure construction and maintenance group founded in Estonia and expanding internationally, with activities spanning roads, railways, energy and urban infrastructure. Established in 2010, the company combines engineering expertise, digital working methods and responsible use of resources to build durable infrastructure and maintain its performance throughout its lifecycle. In addition to Estonia, Verston is expanding into other European markets, including Poland.
Photo: Jassu Hertsmann
Group photo, left: Jarno Laur, Mayor of Tartu Municipality; Urmas Klaas, Mayor of Tartu; and Erkki Keldo, Minister of Energy and the Environment.
Right: Kristo Seli, CEO of Estiko Group; Ain Tammvere, Managing Director of Estiko Energia; Neinar Seli, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Estiko Group; Hannes Aun, Member of the Management Board of Smartecon; and two representatives of the Finnish investment fund UB Renewable Energy.