Request for information regarding the restoration and resilience plan and the use of oil shale (no. 668)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-01-13 17:34
Total Speeches: 61
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 11m
AI Summaries: 61/61 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Today, the Riigikogu addressed the question posed by Lauri Laats, Vadim Belobrovtsev, and Andrei Korobeinik, submitted on November 13th of last year, concerning the restoration and resilience plan and the use of shale oil. The purpose of the question was to clarify how and how quickly it might be possible to promote the use of shale oil in the energy sector while ensuring manageable capacity and energy security, particularly in the context of changes occurring during the war. The questions raised included the feasibility of planned reforms, necessary investments, financing schemes, and the government's positions regarding the role of shale oil in strategic energy policy.
In speeches, the focus was on energy security and future production capacity, and discussions were held about whether and for how long shale oil-based electricity should remain a controllable energy consumer in the system, and how to align with European Union funds and the conditions of the restoration and resilience plan. Furthermore, it was pointed out that altering or violating the objectives associated with the plan would have serious consequences for cooperation and funding from the European Commission, and that dialogue will continue in the energy sector both with the Riigikogu and with the government. The second part of the discussion also touched on the possible use of shale oil in fine chemistry and the need to ensure equipment reliability and competitiveness in the future.
Decisions Made 1
No specific decisions were made. Discussions and work will continue regarding the recovery and resilience plan and the role of oil shale in ensuring energy security, within the context of the response to the inquiry and the government’s overall position.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was pid 5VNfkRwGZMI; in this context, this represents the Centre Party faction and the position has been aggregated as "other" (centre party, not directly left or right).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
During today’s second agenda item, the parliamentary inquiry submitted on 13 November last year by Lauri Laats, Vadim Belobrovtsev and Andrei Korobeinik regarding the recovery and resilience plan and the use of oil shale will be introduced, and Riigikogu member Lauri Laats will come to the podium to present the parliamentary inquiry.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that Estonia must continue to use oil shale and ensure dispatchable capacities so that energy security is guaranteed, and asked the government how the use of oil shale in the energy sector could be promoted.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks and asks that, in order to answer the interpellation, Prime Minister Kristen Michal return to the Riigikogu's rostrum.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal told the Riigikogu that Estonia's Recovery and Resilience Plan is a bilateral agreement with the European Commission, and changes should be made only in the area of investments so that funding would remain, radar construction and the expansion of renewable energy would continue, and the goals would be met. At the same time it was emphasized that the role of oil shale electricity in the market is diminishing due to cheap electricity, and that by 2030 about 1000 MW of firm oil shale power capacity is needed, for which gas plants could be built in 2028–2029, and energy policy discussions in the Riigikogu will continue.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks and announces that there are questions, and first he poses a question to his colleague Rain Epler.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler notes that although the Reform Party has repeatedly spoken against oil shale and praised wind and solar energy, the end-of-year and early-year news show signs of revising their views, and he asks what their current stance is on the use of oil shale for energy production in Estonia.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the oil shale problem is not in the material itself, but in the emissions that pollute water and air, and if this pollution decreases and the material becomes a market-ready product, even supporters of a climate-proof economy will agree with it, and in energy there is a need for controllable and renewable capacities, interconnections and storage, so that consumers can obtain cheaper electricity, and the debate must continue.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman invited Urmas Reinsalu to speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu emphasized that in the context of energy security and the environment one must act substantively and adequately understand the surrounding environment, and he asked where the 1.4-cent-per-kWh impact came from, given that February forecasts show 120 EUR/MWh compared to Nord Pool's 75 EUR/MWh, and which near-term decisions the government will actually implement in its energy policy.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The government states that the decisions made are aimed at lowering energy prices for consumers and the economy, ensuring the reliability of energy supply, balancing renewable energy and dispatchable energy, and preparing for desynchronization with backup plans and reserve capacities, so that Estonia does not end up without electricity.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar invited Lauri Laatsi to speak.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats notes that green energy does not solve energy security, which is guaranteed by our natural resource, namely oil shale, and although the CO2 concern is real and the government has indicated that investments for the future will not be made, he asks whether the situation has changed and whether, in the long term, it is possible to maintain the use of at least 1,000 megawatts of oil shale.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister confirmed that oil shale power plants exist, are maintained, and are ready for use for as long as the Estonian state needs them; payments for reserves are made in accordance with the rules, and in the future efforts will be made to offset price declines with the growth of renewable energy and the development of affordable dispatchable capacity.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and asks his colleague Varro Vooglaid.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid states that the Estlink 2 incident reveals the vulnerability of the infrastructure and raises the question of whether, in the current situation, it is reasonable and timely to abandon oil shale energy.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister said that Estonia's energy security depends on the creation of a well-planned and diversified grid and on balancing renewable and dispatchable capacities, on strong connections with Finland and Latvia, and on independence from Russia, so that energy security would be cheaper and more reliable for consumers.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman, Lauri Hussar, thanks and asks to give the floor to Siim Pohlak.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak accuses the Reform Party of an inadequate response to the energy price increases that began in autumn 2021, and notes that although there are functioning oil shale-fired power plants, the government keeps the price of electricity very high and asks why this policy is being continued.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasized that Estonia must in the future focus on cheap and clean energy and on higher value-added production using technology, because oil shale oil production with high pollution poses problems for the economy, and although stations intended for reserve capacity are used, his criticism is directed at the decisions made by another party.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar asks Evelin Poolametsa.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Poolamets claims that turning oil shale power plants on and off increases CO2 emissions due to the instability of renewable energy, and if the principle "the polluter pays" applies, the renewable energy producer should bear this additional burden.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
A special audit revealed that the nuances of internal control and the actual indicators do not align, and some mid-level decision-maker proposed pollution limits that should have reached the decision-makers earlier, and the on/off switching of power plants, market access, and planning based on production and the resulting pollution calculations are actually financial calculations that Eesti Energia uses in planning its activities.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman invited Riina Solman to speak.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman emphasizes that the falling price of renewable energy is permitted, but it is necessary to specify more precisely the involvement of grid and transmission mechanisms, asks about the location of the gas-fired plant – why on the border with Russia and not in Iru – and notes that the European Union's conditions restrict oil shale chemistry, and the state must take actions to achieve a just transition.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that negotiations about the use of the Just Transition Fund did indeed take place between the Climate Ministry and the Ministry of Finance, and those possibilities had improved, in his view as well as in the view of the entrepreneurs, but there was confusion in the chamber.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker Lauri Hussar signals that everything is ready and the prime minister may proceed.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister said that the future of fine chemistry depends on the capabilities of Eesti Energia, VKG and other Estonian companies and higher education institutions, and that the decision on the location of the Iru gas plant, the project, and its profitability will be made by Eesti Energia on a commercial basis together with the planned additional equity capital injection in the state budget. The Minister of Finance will bring the order to the government and the government will grant a mandate, and interested parties will be able to talk with Eesti Energia at greater length.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and asks Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal pointed out that in Estonia there are plans to build wind turbines whose height is about the height of 1,000 TV towers, but there is no information in Estonia about their damages and health risks, and this raises concerns among residents about detailed planning and public consultations.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister notes that wind turbines are used around the world and that Estonia has standards to protect health and limit noise, and although a political movement wishes to set the local-election platform against clean energy and wind turbines, in his view clean energy—whether it is a solar panel or a wind turbine—is cheaper for people and closer to their hearts than dirtier energy, and this debate should be held.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman asks for Rene Kokk.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk discusses a gas-fired power plant and asks how well Estonia could produce gas itself in the future using local raw materials in order to avoid dependence on imports and maritime transport, and emphasizes that today we have the capacity to generate energy from oil shale, which would be worth keeping for hard days.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that oil shale plants are kept in reserve and ready, gas plants depend on biogas, and in the future a baseload plant could also develop into a nuclear power plant, while focusing on biogas alongside renewable energy and cheaper use of foreign inputs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman thanked and invited Vadim Belobrovtsev to speak.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Honorable Prime Minister, phosphate mining is on the agenda again, and whether it deserves today a discussion that takes environmental impacts into account and an environmental impact assessment, or whether this topic should be left unaddressed altogether, given the concerns experienced in the past and the claim that technologies have improved.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that Estonia must scientifically study its mineral resource reserves, avoid rushing, and establish a National Wealth Fund, relying on the Geological Service's research and the development of geothermal energy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar invited Arvo Alleri to speak.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
According to Arvo Alleri, Estonia has declared that by 2035 oil shale electricity production will be halted and by 2040 the country will exit shale energy, which would bring major social consequences and job losses in the region, and he asks about the fate of the Auvere power plants and their energy blocks, which were supposed to be donated to Ukraine.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the ongoing transition processes in the Ida-Viru region will bring social impacts and promote the creation of new, higher value-added jobs and investments, and he promised to check the exact technical details and provide a written response later, adding that a visit to the damaged power plant in Ukraine demonstrated Estonia's assistance in the energy sector and that this is highly valued.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Vladimir Arhipov to perform.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The central question of the talk is whether Estonia's oil shale processing technologies are modern and whether investments and the adoption of solutions from other countries would help meet the European Union's emission reduction requirements.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that Estonia has an exemplary scientific and entrepreneurial capacity in the value-added processing of oil shale, and we must continue to develop technologies, including carbon capture, because although at present it is not economically viable, in the future new solutions and European climate targets could change that.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanks the Prime Minister, announces that there are no more questions, opens negotiations, and, as the representative of the first questioners, calls his colleague Lauri Laatsi to the Riigikogu's rostrum.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats argues that although green energy is important, it does not make energy cheaper or increase energy security, and therefore Estonia should focus more on oil shale, because Germany's example and the growth of grid development and tax obligations show that the long-term solution lies in CO2 capture and the sustainable use of oil shale.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He asks again whether extra time is needed.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats expresses that it would be really nice.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar requests three minutes of extra time.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats said that CO2 capture is a key issue, but the current situation shows that closing the oil shale sector would cause a social catastrophe in Ida-Virumaa, and to prevent this the Centre Party stands for preserving this sector and Estonia's energy security, and emphasizes that without oil shale energy security cannot be achieved.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked the audience and invited Rain Epler to the Riigikogu's speaking podium next.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes the plan for 600 MW gas-fired power plants and the government's weakness in political leadership, emphasizing that state-owned enterprises must be given clear directions and that bold decisions should be taken toward normalcy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked and invited his colleague Siim Pohlak to the Riigikogu's speaking podium.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak claims that Estonian energy policy is short-sighted and harmful in the hands of the coalition, where the Reform Party's rushed transition to renewable energy and tax increases undermine the economy and damage the country's energy security, while the use of oil shale would be competitive and would strengthen the country's energy security.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked and invited his colleague Urmas Reinsalu to the podium, who asked for extra time, and he was given three minutes.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the government of weak leadership and inability to make decisions in a critical energy situation and calls for immediate action: to lift the restrictions on oil shale power plants, to analyze the issues of renewable energy charges and CO2 trading with the involvement of the European Commission, and to ensure energy security through the Narva gas-fired power plant and other necessary investments.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
“Your time!” emphasizes that the listeners' turn is at hand and action must be taken.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that in a critical management environment it is not possible to operate with marketing, and these were sincere, friendly recommendations in the current very complicated and difficult situation, Mr. Prime Minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair declares that there are no requests to speak, and the prime minister takes the floor at the Riigikogu's podium.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed that Estonia's energy system is secure in terms of supply, that oil shale energy will remain in reserve until new dispatchable capacities arrive, that energy prices determine consumption, and that cheap renewable energy (solar and wind) should be used, and that we should talk to entrepreneurs and avoid emotional crisis management.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
During the speech, thanks are given and Urmas Reinsalu is asked to deliver a rebuttal.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that the government does not address the real needs of the acute energy crisis, but burdens consumers with hastily enacted measures — a 45% increase in the electricity excise tax from May 1, a 2 percentage-point increase in VAT from July 1, and the introduction of charges for capacity reserve and islanding — which, in his view, run counter to Estonia’s energy needs and reflect the concerns of energy experts and leaders of business organizations.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and declares today's second item on the agenda closed, and closes the negotiations.