National Defence and Wind Turbines
Session: Fifteenth Riigikogu, Fourth session, press briefing.
Date: 2024-12-11 15:10
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 14
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 13m
AI Summaries: 14/14 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed the positions of Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur regarding state defence and wind turbines as part of the sixth question. The questioning focused primarily on the development of the Aidu wind farm on the eastern border and its potential impact on security, intelligence, communication, radar surveillance, and the Border Guard's functions in defending the border. The potential impact of offshore wind farms on maritime intelligence was also addressed, as was the country’s overall energy security – what compensatory measures are being considered and how decisions planned to affect the border zone and residents will be made in accordance with the country’s security interests. Given that the discussion encompassed both national security and energy security, as well as the role of local government involvement, it was emphasized that the necessary systems and restrictions must be coordinated and, if necessary, compensated for, when offshore wind farms begin to be realized.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur (Isamaa, right-wing). He presented the government's positions on state defence and energy security and led a broad discussion about the impact of wind turbines on borders, as well as the balance between the country's defence needs and security interests.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, announces the sixth question to Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur, submitted by Riigikogu member Arvo Aller, and on the topic of national defence and wind turbines.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
According to Arvo Alleri, the chiefs of Defence Forces' intelligence and the Navy assess that wind farms, both on land and at sea, have reduced defence capability, shortened the early-warning time, and hindered the use of reconnaissance and weapons systems, referring to Sweden's planned 14 offshore wind farms, of which only one will be built, and to the criticism of the Aidu wind farm near the eastern border, and finally asks how the state, in this national defence situation, will ensure the protection of the eastern border and the awareness of border-area monitoring.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
According to current data, the air force has no concerns and the radar systems provide a good picture, offshore wind farms are not currently present and their impact on the navy must be compensated, €150 million is planned for signals intelligence and in the future offshore wind farms may come online in 2033 or later.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
This speech calls you to act, because your time is at hand.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur emphasizes in his speech that we will not look elsewhere, but will focus on the east.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and asks Arvo Aller to pose a clarifying question.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller claims that wind turbines threaten people's health and Estonia's security and force people from sparsely populated areas to emigrate, which is why he asks the Minister of Defense how to obstruct the installation of wind turbines and safeguard national defense.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that no wind turbine may be installed east of the Jõhvi–Iisaku line, and the same applies to southeastern Estonia, and that elsewhere in Estonia, to build a wind farm you need the Ministry of Defence's consent, the planning must be public and discussed with the local population, because for national security and energy security it is important to achieve green energy goals and to stop using fossil fuels in accordance with the energy economy development plan.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked and asked Varro Vooglaid for an additional question.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid warns that due to the giant wind farms planned for Estonia, radar capability may disappear and civil radio interference and health problems may arise, and he accuses the government that the Defence Forces' concerns take precedence over people's health, citing incursions measured at 16 kilometres.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls on listeners to act, saying: "Your time."
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid urged people to take health issues more seriously and not to focus only on national defense.
Kaitseminister Hanno Pevkur
AI Summary
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that Estonia's security must include energy security, and that decentralized, participatory governance involving local communities helps to weigh the impacts of decisions carefully, although he does not wish to provide an assessment of health effects at this time.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanks and concludes today’s handling of the sixth question.