Tallinna Linnatransport AS (TLT), in collaboration with Bioforce Infra OÜ, the winning contractor for the compressed gas bus fuelling project, has developed the largest compressed gas station in the Baltics next to the Peterburi Road bus terminal. This station will fuel all biogas-powered, eco-friendly buses operating in the capital.
“Now, all 100 compressed gas buses currently operating in Tallinn can refuel daily at the Peterburi Road terminal. This year, an additional 100 biogas-powered buses will join the city’s fleet, and a state procurement is underway to acquire up to 150 more biomethane-powered buses to further accelerate Tallinn’s transition to environmentally friendly public transport,” explained TLT Chairman of the Board, Deniss Boroditš. He added that by 2025, the goal is to replace all existing diesel buses with modern, sustainable alternatives.
Deputy Mayor Andrei Novikov noted that, over the next few years, Tallinn plans to add a total of 350 gas buses, reducing the average fleet age from 9.5 to 5 years and significantly lessening the environmental impact. “The adoption of compressed gas buses will not only enhance the environmental sustainability of public transport but also save approximately €5 million annually in maintenance and operating costs,” Novikov explained. He added that, with 350 compressed gas buses on the road, CO2 emissions in the city will be reduced by approximately 25,000 tons annually, roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of around 7,000 internal combustion vehicles.
According to Henry Uljas, Chairman of the Board of Bioforce Infra OÜ, construction of the Peterburi Road gas station has gone smoothly despite global supply chain challenges: “We are ready to fuel all of Tallinn’s gas buses. Final configurations and tests have just been completed at the newly built gas station. Some asphalt work will resume once the weather improves. The license for gas facility operation has been granted by Inspecta Estonia, ensuring reliability and safety,” Uljas said.
The Peterburi Road station spans 25,000 square meters, equipped with 120 slow-fueling points and two fast-fuel pumps. It stands as the most advanced station of its kind across the Baltics and Finland.
In March, Bioforce Infra will begin construction on the second phase—a compressed gas station on Kadaka Road, covering 35,000 square meters with 200 slow-fuelling points and two fast-fuel pumps. Alongside the new stations, the bus terminals on both Peterburi and Kadaka Roads will be renovated, covering a total area of 170,000 square meters.
“The two new compressed gas stations will eventually be capable of refuelling up to 400 gas buses daily, with the potential to expand capacity further. The terminals will be connected to a conventional natural gas supply, with onsite gas compression. The technology is fully automated, requiring no on-site operator,” Uljas explained.
Deniss Boroditš emphasized that TLT’s adoption of gas buses sets an example for the entire transport sector, encouraging other companies to invest in eco-friendly vehicles. Increased demand for biomethane drives renewable energy production, making it more accessible in the market.
Bioforce Infra OÜ has invested €7.5 million in the construction of both the Peterburi and Kadaka Road biogas stations. Including fuel, the total 10-year contract value is approximately €80 million, marking Estonia’s largest gas contract in the public transport sector.