First reading of the draft resolution of the Riigikogu "Submission of a plan of action for the development of Estonia's electricity production capacities and electricity networks to the Riigikogu by the Government of the Republic, to ensure energy security" (575 OE)
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 5th session, plenary session
Date: 2025-04-16 17:25
Total Speeches: 64
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 1h 20m
AI Summaries: 64/64 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The draft resolution of the Riigikogu, number 575, concerns the Isamaa faction's proposal, which aims to compel the government to submit to the Riigikogu an action plan for the development of Estonia’s electricity generation capacities and electrical grids to ensure energy security. In the presentation, emphasis was placed on the fact that the plan must include clearly measurable objectives regarding both household consumers and investment market conditions, and must contain a mechanism for creating a strategic reserve for the electricity system, planning cross-border connections, and ensuring grid adequacy and reliability. Additionally, the need was raised for an analysis of storage and consumption management, financing, and amendments to national and European Union legislation. During the debate, it was criticized that the current ENMAK 2035 and 100% renewable energy target for 2030 is unrealistic and that there is a lack of a clear and socially acceptable vision for the future of energy. The draft promotes a rapid, realistic and competitive plan for the sustainable functioning of Estonia’s energy system.
The questions raised during the negotiations included the distribution of funds, the balance of investments, and joint development among the Baltic states to avoid a deepening of grid deficiencies and energy costs. The discussion also considered the role of the state in the timeliness of decisions and the need for consensus, including discussions about public trust and democratic procedures. Ultimately, it was concluded that the planned decision depends on the cooperation of a member of the Riigikogu and the coalition, and the decision made regarding the final fate of the draft was not favorable to the coalition, and the draft was rejected.
Decisions Made 1
Bill 575's final vote at the Riigikogu session ended with 18 votes in favor, 0 against, and 0 abstentions; based on this, the bill could not be adopted as a decision. Therefore, the necessary majority of votes was lacking to join the preparation of the state's long-term energy strategy in its further proceedings or adoption.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker: Mart Maastik (Isamaa faction). Right-wing position. He represented the faction’s viewpoints on ensuring balanced energy security, equipment reliability, and market conditions, and led the discussion on the substantive questions of the draft.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
During the third item on the agenda, a proposal presented by the Isamaa faction in the first reading of Bill No. 575 is discussed, proposing that the Government of the Republic should present to the Riigikogu an action plan for developing Estonia's electricity production capacities and power grids to ensure energy security, and the presenter is Mart Maastik.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Isamaa faction calls on the government to draft a concrete and realistic plan to ensure the continuity of electricity supply, which would set clear goals regarding the volume of electricity produced in Estonia and the amount of dispatchable capacity, establish storage and consumption management mechanisms and a strategic reserve, plan the development of cross-border connections, ensure equal conditions for investors, and assess the impact on consumers’ total price and financing.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks you, opens a round of questions and asks Peeter Ernits to take the floor.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits expresses pleasure that someone is coming forward with such a matter, and asks how much has been learned so far from the plan presented at the end of last January regarding the distribution of 2.6 billion in subsidies and the fixing of the electricity price, especially since one party has left the government, and whether there were many wise ideas in it.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik told the Estonian Parliament that the offshore wind farms planned for Saaremaa and two 330-kilovolt lines are very expensive and harm nature (estimated at 1.3–2 billion euros), while the same work could be done directly to the mainland with Latvia’s fourth interconnection for only about 200–300 million, therefore before making decisions costs must be calculated carefully, special planning must be terminated or changed, and the opposition of the residents of Saaremaa must be taken into account, because it is neither green nor economically sensible.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Priit Sibul.
Priit Sibul
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Priit Sibul said that although solar, wind and storage systems and the connections related to them cost a lot, there is no holistic vision in the public discourse and no clear development plan for where we are headed with the new energy economy and what we actually produce.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maastik emphasizes that Estonia needs a real, comprehensive energy economy development plan that would coordinate with neighboring countries and the Baltic system and take into account existing options (for example the Haapsalu–Hiiumaa Leisi connection), avoid over-dimensioning and subsidies, and would focus on cooperation with Finland and aligning neighboring plans.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
He announces that the next question is pending, and invites Lauri Laats to perform.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The development plan should be Baltic-wide, and all decisions and actions must be coordinated, condemning hastily made decisions, which within ENMAK may cost the minister his position and lead to the withholding of subsidies.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The landscape emphasizes that the gathering of the three Western sages has produced a development plan, but party leaders make long-term energy policy decisions that are based on illogical premises and bring with them the risk of large investments and high electricity prices, jeopardizing the economy's long-term stability.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi asked Varro Vooglaid to take the floor.
Varro Vooglaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Varro Vooglaid emphasizes that offshore wind farms and the extensive overhaul of the entire electrical grid could have far-reaching consequences, and in a democratic country people should be given the opportunity to decide through a referendum, because what has been experienced in Saaremaa shows how local opinions are often not taken into account, and that could be the first step.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maastik emphasizes that referendums may take place, but the real decision is made by wisely chosen representatives who have knowledge of energy policy and who ensure that Estonia's needs are taken into account.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Helle-Moonika Helme onto the stage.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
According to Helle-Moonika Helme, a plan of action for the development of production capacities and power grids will be presented on May 1, but in two weeks, in her words, nothing new is being contemplated, and the same nonsense and utopias are being repeated; she notes that EKRE has talked about this from the very beginning, and Isamaa was against it in 2022, and asks whether this intention is genuine repentance or merely the fulfillment of goals, because we have become aware of the consequences.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The landscape calls for statesmanship and unity, emphasizes acknowledging and correcting mistakes, and warns that current energy-sector decisions could lead to serious problems in five or ten years.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Mart Helme to take the floor.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Mart Helme emphasized that a referendum must not be uncontrolled, and the people are jointly responsible if they allow themselves to be fooled, and the end result is likely to be as foolish as the decision to join the European Union in 2003.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman, Toomas Kivimägi, thanks the audience.
Mart Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Here as well, a referendum is a better way than that populist proposal that leads nowhere.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Maastik stated that the draft is not populist, and although the deadline is short, it highlights the points that need to be improved, and will remain as a document from which no one in the future can say they did not know; a referendum may be held, but he does not believe that the government will draw any conclusions from it, and the final outcome will be the same.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked and informed that there were no questions, and invited Mario Kadastik, a member of the Riigikogu's Economic Committee, as a co-rapporteur.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The Economic Committee discussed the draft over two sessions; by consensus a representative was designated and the focus was on substance and feasibility; it was stressed that ENMAK 2035 and the amendments to the law are already in progress and the May 1 deadline is not realistic; the Isamaa representative criticized the realism of the input, and work will continue in the Ministry of Climate; a majority of the Riigikogu (6 in favour, 3 against, 1 abstained) is required, and two consensus decisions have been made: to put the draft on the agenda today and to hold the final vote.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech contains thanks and invites Peeter Ernits to ask a question.
Peeter Ernits
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Peeter Ernits asks how large a portion of the proposal's content is already in progress (what percentage), emphasizing that the opposition and the coalition could work in unison, and asking that things stay calm.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kadastik said that a specific percentage was not discussed, but most of the proposals are in ENMAK's work, and more than half of them are already in progress or adopted, including, for example, the management, development, and storage of controllable resources.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The deputy speaker, Toomas Kivimägi, asks Urmas Reinsalu to take the floor.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu criticizes that over two years a clear long-term framework for the energy economy has not emerged, and although it was said that more than half of the proposals are in progress, there are no concrete details about energy sources, base options, and decisions to be made at the state level.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Regarding the ENMAK 2035 initial draft, there are scenarios available online, and to ensure stable electricity a base resource such as oil shale and the preparations for its draft 555 are required, but for cheap electricity the realistic options over the next ten years are mainly onshore wind and preparations for a nuclear power plant, because geothermal, hydro and offshore wind are not mature and the sun is seasonal and requires storage, offshore wind needs a buyer, and CO2 quotas do not allow the development of oil shale, so the main source remains onshore wind.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
At the start of the speech, Mart Maastik is invited to perform.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik asks why ENMAK has been left unfinished and why a subsidized offer of 2.6 billion euros for offshore wind farms was paused, even though offshore wind was previously praised for its affordability and usefulness, and Finance Minister Ligi mentioned an annual additional cost of 130 million euros, and on what basis were these decisions made.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kadastik said that offshore wind has been the main element of another party and the reason for leaving the coalition, and that the production cost of offshore wind is almost negligible and OpEx is about 15 euros per megawatt-hour, which shows that the more is built, the cheaper electricity becomes, but you cannot recoup the capital.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Henn Põlluaas to take the floor.
Henn Põlluaas
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Henn Põlluaas claims that the high price of fossil fuels, including oil shale, does not guarantee supply security, and that the real price is due to the artificial addition of CO2 quotas; he calls for an end to demagogy and emphasizes that with renewable energy all costs must be taken into account, including the rebuilding of Estonia's grids, and only then compare which solution is cheaper and better.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kadastik emphasized that security of supply is ensured by electricity produced from oil shale, and an objective total-cost comparison must take into account all components, including the CO2 quota and grid development.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi asks Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Because of the European Union's green ideology, cheap oil shale energy has been excluded and only expensive renewable energy remains, and Helle-Moonika Helme asks how her position would change if the EU understood this and stopped the influence of green ideology.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mario Kadastik emphasizes that nuclear energy is the best form of energy, and his plan does not change with the ending of the CO2 quota, because 130 euros per megawatt-hour is still expensive, and removing the artificial component will not lower the price.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi turned to Andres Metsoja and asked him.
Andres Metsoja
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Andres Metsoja spoke yesterday in the economic committee about a proposed amendment to the Electricity Market Act, which aimed to bring the renewable energy surcharge in the zones of influence where wind farms are located down to zero, but it was voted down, and at the same time he asked whether the EU directive allows electricity to be sold directly at its own price to small and household consumers, and how many such direct-sale contracts have been made and whether this could actually benefit residents.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He said that the committee's discussion on draft bill 556 will take place later within the framework of the proceedings related to tolerance charges and the Planning Act, and regarding direct contracts there are two variants: either a direct line on an exclusive-use basis, where network charges do not apply, or otherwise a contract directly concluded with the regional operator at a long-term favorable price, although volumes and statistics cannot be stated; the market exists.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Before giving the floor to Siim Pohlak, the vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi said that regarding the draft of this decision, one question may be asked of each presenter.
Siim Pohlak
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Siim Pohlak criticizes the Reform Party, saying that they do not pursue an independent energy policy and are Brussels' special envoys, and he calls for investing in oil shale, better technologies, and cheaper equipment, in a network of cogeneration plants across Estonia and in geothermal research, so that energy security would be decentralized and in the interests of the Estonian people and companies.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kadastik said that the onshore wind subsidy for the entire period is a little over 200 million euros, and the offshore wind subsidy has reached into the billions, and although possibilities for geothermal, wave and hydro energy are being considered, in the short term the only large, realistic and sensible investment choice is wind, because solar has no prospects without batteries and other technologies do not provide sufficient efficiency.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Lauri Laats onto the stage.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats noted that abandoning oil shale is more of a promise than an obligation, and although according to ENMAK a direction has been taken not to use oil shale in electricity production by 2035, consumption forecasts by 2035 remain in the range of 10–15.4 terawatts per hour, which raises questions about investments.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi expresses gratitude.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
They allocate quite large sums, but for the end consumer prices don’t change much, staying at 15–17 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Mario Kadastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They said that the difference between the two numbers comes from Elering's forecast and the calculated consumption need, the aim of which was to make the renewable energy fee the same as for offshore wind turbines, and the number 15.4 came from this idea, although it would require foreign investments and the consumption of a single data center would be about 2 terawatt-hours.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi opened the negotiations and informed that Urmas Reinsalu represents the Isamaa faction, and he was given eight minutes.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
According to Urmas Reinsalu, Estonia's long-term choices for its energy economy must be clearly defined, ensure energy security and supply reliability together with a competitive electricity price, avoid subsidized offshore wind farms and uncertain plans, and take into account EU regulatory reforms and national baseline assumptions, and by the end of May set a concrete and functional plan, because the current development plan has collapsed and the government's actions are erratic and mislead society.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Urmas Reinsalu said that Isamaa invites Mr. Kivimägi to vote for this good bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The vice-chairman Toomas Kivimägi said that it was not a surprise to him.
Urmas Reinsalu
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
He said it wasn't a surprise and he hopes that people will behave accordingly, and he thanked.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech begins with thanks. On behalf of the Centre Party faction, Lauri Laats takes the floor, and three more minutes are requested, for a total of eight minutes.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
In his presentation, Lauri Laats stresses that ENMAK's plan to export oil-shale electricity in 2035–2040, together with the planned €14 billion investments and consumer price forecasts, is uncertain and unclear, threatening employment in Ida-Virumaa and consumers, and he calls for clarity and for backing the Isamaa faction's draft bill.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Now it's the EKRE faction's turn, and on their behalf a good colleague, Arvo Aller, must deliver the speech.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller stressed that the energy economy development plan must be brought before the Riigikogu and it is not expedient to withdraw from electricity production or from the oil shale industry, because this would reduce the state's tax revenue and worsen the economic and social situation in Ida-Virumaa, therefore before final decisions an impact assessment is needed to ensure supply security and competitiveness.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Mart Maastik managed, thanks to Arvo Alleri's help, to elicit a counter-speech on behalf of the Isamaa faction.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
The landscape highlighted that party-line-driven ideas and compromises threaten Estonia's long-term plans, and before decisions about a nuclear power plant or an energy sector development plan are made, data must be gathered and one must consider 10-, 20-, and 80-year perspectives.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi ended the negotiations and put draft bill 575 to a final vote, the aim of which is the Isamaa faction's proposal to present to the Government of the Republic an action plan for developing Estonia's electricity production capacities and power grids to ensure energy security, and he informed that no amendment proposals were submitted and that in order to adopt the decision a majority of the Riigikogu's members is required.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Draft Bill 575 received 18 votes in favour, with no votes against and no abstentions, but that was not enough for adoption, and the draft bill was returned.