Crisis stores

The network of crisis stores established in cooperation between the Estonian Stockpiling Agency and merchants is going to ensure the availability of essential goods even in the case of a major power cut.

The planned network will include 110 stores all across Estonia, depending on the number of residents in the region. By September 2026, ESPA has signed a crisis store agreement for 79 stores and generators have been delivered to 46 stores. 

The Estonian Stockpiling Agency is going to purchase powerful generators and will hold a public procurement to select stores with whom it will conclude agreements for a higher level of preparedness to act during a crisis. The stores in the network will invest independently to adapt their own power system, payment system, and logistics.

The locations of the crisis stores have been chosen taking into account geographical dispersion and population density. There will be more and larger crisis stores in cities, but no region of Estonia will be left uncovered. As a minimum requirement, stores in the network must be open five hours a day and stock a range of the most common foodstuffs and essentials during a crisis. If an ATM and a pharmacy are located in the same building as the store, their essential electricity needs should also be covered by the generator power where possible.

After the electricity systems have been adapted, the first few dozen stores will receive the backup generators by the end of this year. All the stores that are successful in the first phase of the procurement will be obliged to install a generator connection point within 18 months. Setting up a network of 110 crisis stores covering all of Estonia will cost the ESPA approximately 4–5 million euros, of which the largest cost will be for the purchase and maintenance of the generators. Other associated costs will be borne by the store owners.

The network of crisis stores is being created by the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, and the Estonian Stockpiling Agency in cooperation with merchants.