[1] Construction of the 48 MW Ahtme Power Plant by Baltische Öl started in 1942 as a part of the larger oil-shale processing complex.

To survive the war time air strikes, the plant was to be located below the ground.

Its cooling water was piped from Lake Konsu,[6] located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) southeast.

[10] Part of oil shale ash was used to produce cinder blocks at the Ahtme building materials factory.

In March 2011, a 100 MW natural gas-fired boiler house for peak and back-up loads was commissioned, which continues operating after closure of the old power plant.