Inquiry regarding the energy sector (no. 724)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Date: 2025-04-14 18:25
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 57
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 4m
AI Summaries: 57/57 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first agenda item involved a discussion of the inquiry submitted by members of the Riigikogu, Urmas Reinsalu, Riina Solman, and Priit Sibula, concerning the energy sector. The inquiry addressed a collection of questions presented on February 27th, relating to the state support of 2.6 billion euros for the offshore wind farm project, questions of public interest and transparency, the bases for the analysis, and the project’s potential consequences for energy security and consumer prices. The inquirers seek precise answers regarding the initial parameters, what data and calculations underpinned the agreement, and whether and how the project will proceed. Within this context, questions arose concerning the justification, timing, and transparency of decisions underlying the program, and an explanation is expected regarding when and how the government plans to coordinate and control energy policy and investments in the future.
In the second part, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas introduced the new coalition’s direction for energy policy: initiating a special plan for a nuclear power plant, a limited tender for onshore wind farms, and strengthening regulation and storage development; in addition, the need to improve electricity interconnections and connectivity was emphasized. The potential impact of the European Union’s Clean Industry Act and the use of European Investment Bank guarantees for the secure further development of future investors were also mentioned. The goals are energy security, reliability of supply, and the competitiveness of the economy, but the discussion revealed differing viewpoints and underscored the need to shape a clearer and more transparent framework for future decisions and ensure the protection of consumer interests.
Decisions Made 1
No final joint decisions were made during the session. However, a strategic direction for future actions in energy policy was presented, and it was emphasized that the government will clarify and publish the calculations and clearly understand the necessity of the energy economy development plan before confirming decisions with significant financial implications. The session primarily focused on continuing the discussion and ensuring the availability of necessary data, rather than adopting new legislation.
Most Active Speaker
Peeter Ernits – a member of the Riigikogu, from the right-wing coalition (Isamaa / a similar right-wing direction). He delivered two motions and, in terms of speaking at the agenda for the interpellation, he was the most active speaker: he thoroughly addressed the questions posed and with his comments, calling for clearer reporting and substantive answers to questions. His participation and tone reflect a central role for a right-wing position in energy-related discussions.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
At the first item on the agenda, the parliamentary inquiry submitted on 27 February by MPs Urmas Reinsalu, Riina Solman and Priit Sibul regarding the energy sector will be introduced.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu criticized the 2.6-billion-euro offshore wind farm subsidy agreement signed two months ago as a political, not analytical basis, and submitted to the prime minister ten concrete questions about its background, its further intentions, and its impact on energy security and electricity prices.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar asked that Prime Minister Kristen Michal appear at the Riigikogu's podium to answer the parliamentary inquiry.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The main objective of the new coalition's energy sector is to improve energy security and the competitiveness of the economy by initiating the special planning of a nuclear power plant and the onshore wind farms' low-bid tenders, developing storage capabilities as well as transmission capacity and electricity interconnections with neighboring countries, in order to reduce dependence on imported energy and fossil fuels and to increase the added value and export potential of clean energy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks everyone and announces that there are questions, and asks his colleague Peeter Ernits to take the floor.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits asks the chairman and the prime minister for an explanation of how a contract worth 2.6 billion became possible, and of the trio's strange meeting and the photo taken there, who was behind this evil, and why the current coalition has now moved to a more reasonable course.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The new coalition's plan is to move forward with the special planning for nuclear energy, develop onshore wind farms, and change the organization of offshore wind farms in accordance with the requirements of the European Clean Industry Communication, and in the future to use PPAs guaranteed by the European Investment Bank.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar asks Urmas Reinsalu to come and speak.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the prime minister of not substantively answering ten questions posed in a parliamentary inquiry about the offshore wind farm project, and demands a substantive clarification of the project's status — whether it has been abandoned, suspended, or whether a procedure for applying for a new state aid approval is under way with the European Commission — referring to the position previously stated two months earlier that the project has no alternative.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanks and turns to the prime minister with a plea.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The prime minister described the plans of the new coalition and steps in energy policy, including the advancement of offshore wind farms, and emphasized that a European clean industry declaration is awaited and that a nuclear power plant will take time, therefore there is a need for onshore wind farms and a decision must be made whether we want cheap and clean energy or continue opposing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar calls Mart Maastik to rise.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik asks why it is necessary to spend over 200 million euros to build onshore wind farms through a low-bid tender, when companies can manage without subsidies and the current uncertainty is hindering those who have permits, and why even distribute money at all.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that he does not want to hand out money, but when bringing new technologies to market, one often has to overcome a market barrier, and that is the only reason why Europe also uses the low-bid procurement mechanism.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar invited Riina Solman to speak.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman highlights that the tax increases of the last two Reform Party governments have increased the population's difficulties in making ends meet and the cost of living, and asks to explain whether and how the government assigns energy companies the task of producing electricity as cheaply as possible, citing a Finnish example and a document- and plan-oriented view for its implementation.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Michal said that the capitalist energy market works in such a way that adding new production capacities—primarily solar and wind—lowers prices, and the price is higher when fossil fuels are in operation, and Helme's idea of controlling the price in oil shale energy is unrealistic and belongs to another field.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar asks Lauri Laatsi to come on stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asks whether there really exists an analysis that proves that offshore wind farms and other investments lower consumer prices, referring to classified and leaked materials that show the opposite.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal emphasized that all calculations and other documents must be shared with the public, and to achieve a lower price for the energy system, additional new production capacities are needed – renewables, gas-fired plants, storage and dispatchable capacities, and if necessary also nuclear – because no solution works by itself and energy consumption and demand in the region are growing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, asks Rain Epler to take the floor.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler criticizes the prime minister for waiting for the Brussels directive on clean industry and for not leading a plan originating from Estonia, but instead waiting for Brussels' order, and asks whether this is true or whether his answer has been misunderstood.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that they have their own plans, do not share EKRE's hostility toward the European Union, and he is keen to see EKRE's plan to leave the European Union and the realization of Mart Helme's promise to end that support group, which Reinsalu supported with a nod.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar invites Tõnis Lukas to speak.
Tõnis Lukas
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Tõnis Lukas criticizes state subsidies to energy storage facilities and wind farms, arguing that in a market economy consumers could fund investments without government support, and asks why the Reform Party is now against the market, even though it once supported the market economy.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister said that although he believes in the free market, some things — for example oil shale plants kept in reserve — should be supported with about 40–45 million euros per year, so that they stay up, operate and exist.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar invites Aleksandr Tšaplõgini onto the stage.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
This speech criticizes the claim that electricity is expensive due to the lack of wind and that wind farms do not work, and asks whether the plan to build even more wind farms does not mean that if the wind does not blow, we will be left in the dark?
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The speech emphasizes that even if there were more wind farms, it would not change the day if wind energy does not work — then the dispatchable capacities operate.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme stated that Estonia's cheapest and most everyday energy was oil shale electricity, criticized European green madness and corruption, and asked who it was for and why Estonians should foot the bill for the planned 6,300 MW capacity.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar asks Helle-Moonika Helme.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the Estonian people do not bear the costs of all energy developments, energy solutions develop under market conditions, and various production capacities will arise that enable electricity to be sold to other markets through cross-border interconnections, and he does not support EKRE's opposition to new solar and onshore wind farms, noting that it is comical and that it should be reconsidered.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar thanked the Prime Minister, noted that in the case of interpellations each Riigikogu member may submit only one question and there are no more questions, declared the deliberations open, and invited Urmas Reinsalu, the representative of the interpellation proposers at the Riigikogu's rostrum, to take the floor first.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu says that he will take three extra minutes.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Speaker Lauri Hussar asked for three minutes of extra time.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu accuses the government of a lack of adequate information and analysis regarding the 2.6-billion-euro offshore wind farm plan, and raises several questions about the source data, the assessments, and accountability, emphasising the need for transparency in energy policy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Prime Minister Lauri Hussar finishes his speech, saying "Your time!" and thanks the audience.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu stated that the parliamentary inquiry contains ten specific questions, to which, unfortunately, no answer was obtained, and he urged the Speaker of the Riigikogu to fulfill his duties.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar stated that the chair of the meeting would not interfere with the respondent's topic, would not press for answers, and would follow the custom, and invited Aleksandr Tšaplõgini to the Riigikogu's speaking podium.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
To return Estonia to the 2013 situation, where the price of electricity was regulated by the state and we supplied ourselves, because the free market lacks real competition (only 11% of Nord Pool transactions end with delivery, 89% are speculative), and consumers also pay for the profits of speculators, while Elering and the state earn from the transmission, which is why repairs to the Narva power plants must be carried out, green energy subsidies must be reduced, and oil shale must be put into use, so that within a year the price would be reasonable.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanks and asks the next speaker to be his colleague Lauri Laats.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats told the Estonian Parliament that Estonia lacks a comprehensive and unified energy policy and that the government does not have a clear overview, criticizing the €2.6 billion subsidy for the offshore wind farm and the lack of discussions, and noting that we produce more than we consume, with about 150 megawatts directed to Latvia, and this leads to sales at low prices, which poses risks to businesses and consumers and requires a transparent, coordinated, and long-term national plan.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair thanked the audience and invited Rain Epler to speak next.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler urged redefining an energy policy based on Estonia's interests and to stop focusing on Brussels, because the excessive development of energy generation capacity and plans related to the sale of electricity could actually make the country poorer.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked and gave the floor to Peeter Ernits at the Riigikogu's speaking chair.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits poses the direct question: why the attitude shift associated with the Clean Industry Directive and the planned auctions do not align with reality, and why investors disappeared, citing wealth maneuvering and saying that this could be a topic for which the Bonnier Prize could be awarded.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Lauri Hussar asks whether the audience would like some extra time.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits said that he does not want to waste time, but nevertheless issued an appeal to investigate if you still have a little bit of sense and will.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The speaker gave thanks, and next Riina Solman was invited to come on stage.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman stated that for consumers and businesses the price of electricity must remain affordable and energy security must be ensured, and the current oil shale-based energy system must be modernized, protecting Ida-Virumaa's economy and jobs, while asking the government for answers to alternatives to pricing, investments, and quota trading.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker thanked the assembly, announced that the requests to speak had ended, asked whether the prime minister would like to speak, and invited him to take the floor from the Riigikogu's podium.
Peaminister Kristen Michal
AI Summary
The Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that the government will not stall decisions, is planning a dedicated plan for nuclear energy and renewable energy solutions, and is keeping oil shale plants in reserve, emphasizing that fossil energy sources are more expensive and renewable energy sources cheaper.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Many thanks to the Prime Minister, since Riina Solman’s positions were mentioned, you have, in accordance with RKKTS, the opportunity to deliver a response.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman thanks the esteemed Prime Minister and addresses the Speaker of the Riigikogu and the Prime Minister.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Speaker emphasizes that even the prime minister may be respected, but asks.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman accuses the Reform Party's male politicians of insulting female politicians and emphasizes that they ignore the positions of energy experts and energy-security issues in pursuit of climate targets.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chair, Lauri Hussar, thanks and informs that there are no requests to speak within the framework of the inquiry, and that today’s consideration of the first item on the agenda has been concluded.