Confusing energy policy
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, press briefing
Date: 2025-02-26 15:23
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The central focus of this seventh question was the confusion in energy policy and bringing it under better control. Based on a projected vision for the next 10–15 years, the Riigikogu considered what Estonia’s energy portfolio should look like: renewable resources (wind, sun, biomethane) and their connectivity, as well as current grid solutions (EstLink 1–3), in addition to the role of oil shale and the possibility of incorporating nuclear energy. The impact on consumer prices and the burden on the payer was also a significant consideration; price levels were compared to Finland, and the similarities and differences between calculations from various experts and the Ministry of Climate were examined. In this regard, it was pointed out that energy policy formation has not been transparent enough to date, and a more understandable and clear framework is needed that connects security issues, the stability of production capacity, and affordable energy consumption.
Decisions Made 1
Political decisions were not made in a specific way; we noted that the discussion continues and that understandings need to be harmonized and various scenarios need to be assessed (renewable energy, guided energy, state participation in a nuclear power plant, etc.). Such a session ended without the adoption of binding measures.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform Party). She represents the right-wing political line and led discussions on energy policy, emphasizing the need for a clearer and more consistent starting point and considering the state’s role, which could lead to more favorable energy prices and security of supply.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Jaanus Karilaid asks Prime Minister Kristen Michal about the unclear energy policy.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid criticizes the previous government's energy policy as a shambles, arguing that the energy portfolio is poorly planned and the price for consumers is not favorable, and calls for a clearer, more understandable and more consumer-friendly policy.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that funding for the nuclear power plant with taxpayers' money was not planned, and the pause in renewable energy development stemmed mainly from security concerns, but after the selection of compensation radar systems, more options have opened up for obtaining cheaper energy, and to lower prices it is necessary to have both dispatchable energy and renewable energy, the basis of which would in the future guarantee gas and, where possible, also nuclear energy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair invites Jaanus Karilaid to submit a clarifying question.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid said that Estonia should be on a par with the Nordic countries, to revitalize the economy and attract investments, and noted that the total investment in a nuclear power plant is over a billion, and that the state should own the majority stake there, asking whether this stance is shared, because the decision is not yet made.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that for Estonia's economy the most important thing is the external environment and macroeconomic development (the end of the war in Ukraine, the performance of export markets, and the development of EURIBOR), not a single energy decision, and although in the future there will be discussions about a nuclear power plant and state participation, the goal is to provide producers with certainty and more favorable loans and to ensure the stability of energy prices.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speech contained words of thanks, and Mart Maastik posed an additional question.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik claims that offshore wind energy is five times more expensive than onshore wind, and that the state should build onshore wind farms on state-owned land near people's homes and not lay connections via Saaremaa, and he calls for a very simple mathematical justification of why offshore wind could be cheaper.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Michal confirms that the fourth connection with Latvia must be built, and the route for it will be chosen by the system operator; a congestion charge will be introduced and funds from European funds will be used, and although onshore wind farms are more energy-efficient, discussions are underway about building at sea due to EKREIKE's opposition.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Today we will finish the discussion of the seventh question.