Estonia approves plan for explosives plant in Piirsalu

The government has approved a special national plan for a defence industry park in Piirsalu, a village in Lääne-Nigula municipality in Lääne County, ERR reported. The state will invest more than six million euros in basic infrastructure for the park.

A explosives plant operated by the state-created joint-stock company Hexest Materials is planned for the park. Production is expected to begin in 2028. The plant is estimated to cost 150 million euros to build and create about 75 jobs.

Defence Minister Martin Herem said producing RDX explosives in Estonia was strategically necessary, citing increased demand for European defence industry capacity and a shortage of explosives production capacity in NATO countries. He said the plant could help address that shortfall and bring jobs, economic activity and tax revenue to the region.

The government communications office said the planning process took into account questions and proposals raised by local residents and other parties. The development must comply with environmental and safety requirements.

In response to concerns raised at public meetings, the plant will not burn production waste in the open air during normal operations. Instead, it will use a purpose-built enclosed burner. The company operating in the area will also continue monitoring the ecological condition of the Piirsalu River and, in cooperation with the community and Lääne-Nigula municipality, monitor water levels and quality in nearby drinking-water wells.

The Defence Ministry’s area of government also plans to support local development, including a shared-use path along the Risti-Kuijõe road. It is also prepared to support a resilience centre and public shelter in Piirsalu village.

Piirsalu is the third location where the state has approved a special plan for a defence industry park. Plans have previously been approved for Ermistu in Pärnu County and North Kiviõli in Ida-Viru County. Planning continues for the Aidu site in Ida-Viru County.