The negative impacts of wind turbines
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing
Date: 2025-01-22 15:16
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 16
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 16/16 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The discussion focused on the lack of scientific knowledge in Estonia’s healthcare system regarding the effects of wind turbine infrasound and other physical risk factors. Kalle Grünthal posed a question to Riina Sikkut concerning the Saarde wind farm, highlighting that Estonia lacks clear knowledge about the harmfulness of infrasound and that the public health law previously contained no references to wind turbine noise or infrasound. The number of complaints (requests submitted by thirty individuals) and an ongoing study from the Health Board raised the question of how to respond to residents’ concerns and what measures and measurement methods are appropriate. The first part also addressed guidelines and the correct execution of measurements: what equipment is used, how and where the microphone is placed, and what standards and procedures apply.
In addition, issues related to ice projectiles and infrasound dependence were raised, and wind farms at sea, microplastics, and economic considerations were discussed, which may influence the country's planning and investments.
Decisions Made 1
National programme and schedule: The Ministry of Social Affairs is updating infra- and ultrasound exposure limits as an application act for public health; in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate, an environmental impact assessment analysis and guidance material on wind turbines will be prepared, taking into account the practices of Germany, Finland, Denmark, Latvia, and Lithuania; the Health Board will carry out national oversight and ensure the use of accredited measuring equipment; in the first quarter, summaries from scientists on the latest research will be ordered and an overview of health impacts will be published; the updating of exposure limits and the development of an assessment methodology will be submitted for coordination during the first half of the year.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Mart Maastik (member of the Riigikogu); his position 'other'.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
We have reached the seventh question, and a question is being asked to Health Minister Riina Sikkut by colleague Kalle Grünthal.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal calls the minister to account, notes that there is a lack of knowledge in Estonia about the harmfulness of infrasound, refers to the misinformation spread about Mari-Anne Härma, and to the health concerns of the residents of the Saarde wind farm, and asks how infrasound is measured and which devices and methods are used for this.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
Riina Sikkut said that the Ministry of Social Affairs will establish and update limit values for noise, infrasound, ultrasound, vibration, and shadowing, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate and the Health Board, assessment and measurement methods will be developed; complaints will be taken seriously, and in the first quarter a review of the latest studies will be commissioned from scientists so that, based on the knowledge, the limit values can be set and monitoring can continue.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asked Kalle Grünthal to present a clarifying question.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Grünthal highlighted the hazard created by ice throw, whose danger radius is two turbine lengths, criticized the shortcomings of the Public Health Act regarding wind turbines, said that studies are still to come and that wind turbines will continue to be built, referred to a collective complaint by ten people, and drew attention to the lack of devices measuring infrasonic frequencies below ten hertz.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
Riina Sikkut emphasized that the impact of wind turbines should be assessed in the context of health effects, infrasound, vibration, electromagnetic fields, and shadow flicker, and that traffic noise is often greater than the turbines' noise level, and all concerns must be taken seriously in the environmental impact assessment.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, expressed thanks.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
They stress that health-related concerns cause stress and that this should be taken seriously.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi said that the question was very technical and that the minister was capable and well prepared, but that does not mean we see eye to eye on everything, and he asked for a follow-up question, Mart Maastik.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In his presentation, Mart Maastik highlights infrasound as the potential weapon's impact on people's health, and moreover criticizes the construction of an offshore wind farm near Saaremaa as economically unjustified and risky, while also mentioning the problem of microplastics and urging the government to focus on sensible and affordable solutions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks the listeners.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The landscape points out that instead of the ongoing continuation of their processes, obtaining accreditation for the measuring instrument is a long process, at least a year.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
They thank their good colleague.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
At the same time, in Saaremaa a separate planning process for laying high-voltage power lines is already underway.
Terviseminister Riina Sikkut
AI Summary
Riina Sikkut emphasizes that involving people in decisions about the location of wind turbines is important, and although the health impact of wind turbines is generally lower than in many other activities and in Estonia measurements must be taken to confirm safety, complaints and misinformation are taken seriously and work is being done to ensure that the construction is safe.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks and ends the handling of this question.