Inquiry regarding the impacts and regulations of wind energy development in Estonia (no 749)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, Fifth Session, Plenary Session
Date: 2025-06-02 21:23
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 28
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 38m
AI Summaries: 28/28 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
An inquiry regarding the impacts and regulations of wind energy development in Estonia (inquiry no. 749) submitted on April 14, 2025, by members of the Estonian Parliament Evelin Poolamets, Arvo Aller, Helle-Moonika Helme, Rene Kok, and Rain Epler. The purpose of the inquiry is to obtain clear and substantive answers from the Minister regarding the wind energy impact assessment framework, the local population, and environmental monitoring, as provided by Estonian scientists and authorities. Key topics include noise assessments and the impacts of infrasound, low-frequency noise, vibration, shadowing (the effect of light play/shadowing), cumulative impacts, and monitoring and surveillance mechanisms. The questions raised address existing standards, methodologies, and shortcomings – both legal and technical – as well as planned state measures to eliminate these gaps and problems, to incorporate them, and to develop monitoring.
Decisions Made 1
The consideration of the agenda item concluded without the adoption of new legislation and, as a concrete solution resulting from the initial discussion – the discussion was terminated and further steps and internal oversight measures remain to be worked out at the national level, drawing on the information gathered and potential additional assessments. No decisions were made or proposals confirmed in the final stage of the agenda item to fulfill the primary objectives of this inquiry; necessary responses and draft relief measures remain dependent on future national actions and supervisory processes.
Most Active Speaker
Identifier of the most active speaker: a1RqRq2rgr4 (Evelin Poolamets).
The active speaker's role and position: Member of the Riigikogu, member of the group of question presenters; political orientation has been expressed as "other than left- or right-wing categorization" or central/inconsistently described – therefore "other."
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Riigikogu is debating the impact and regulations of wind energy in Estonia via Interpellation No. 749, submitted by Evelin Poolametsa, Arvo Alleri, Helle-Moonika Helme, Rene Koka, and Rain Epler. Evelin Poolametsa will continue the discussion as the rapporteur.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets submitted an interpellation to Minister Andres Sutt regarding the assessment of wind energy impact and regulations in Estonia, emphasizing the insufficient methodology, the lack of domestic monitoring, and the need for a clear, reliable legal and scientific framework that ensures the protection of local residents.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech expressed deep gratitude, and the audience was given the opportunity to hear the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, who will be answering questions from the inquirers.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The summary of the presentations is that in Estonia, general noise standards and limit values (including low-frequency noise and vibration) are applied to wind farms, and compliance with these is ensured through Environmental Impact Assessment. A guideline has been prepared regarding shadow flicker, and cumulative effects are assessed within the EIA process. Planning is regulated, the involvement of local communities is guaranteed, and monitoring and supervision are carried out by relevant authorities, including the Health Board, although specific separate standard levels for shadow flicker or vibration have not been established.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The audience is thanked, it is mentioned that there are several questions in the hall, and Martin Helme begins.
Martin Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Martin Helme claims that actual limit standards do not apply to noise and vibration and that they are not properly assessed, that ministers are lying about scientific analyses, and that despite studies showing health risks, the matter is being pressed ahead. He asks whether money or corruption is behind it.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, said that although there are various studies, most of their conclusions find that wind energy does not have a negative impact on human health, and the impact is assessed during the environmental impact assessment process. Furthermore, a reverse auction for 1–2 terawatt-hours of capacity will be organized in Estonia for onshore wind. There are currently no plans for offshore wind because offshore wind projects are not financeable for banks.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme questions whether European studies are reliable regarding the construction of wind farms within the context of the green transition, claiming that negative impacts such as noise pressure, vibration, and health risks are not being assessed. She cites a 2021 Taiwanese study that highlights heart health issues related to low-frequency noise and shows examples in many households where levels exceed WHO recommended limits, and notes that the Health Board is attempting to provide explanations to the public.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks the audience.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Family physician Piret Rospu said that this just drives people nuts, and when you get angry, you won't hear it.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi expressed thanks.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Helle-Moonika Helme asks which scientific studies are being used, and whether foreign research could also be utilized.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The report emphasizes the extensive use of scientific research and an analysis commissioned by the Ministry of Climate, noting that the claim about developing wind energy only in Europe is invalid, as renewable energy sources accounted for approximately 85% of new global electricity generation capacity last year, the primary reason for this being their price and competitiveness.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi calls upon Anti Poolamets.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets said that the development of national defense is a high-priority effort, and that wind farms interfere with the work of the Defense Forces' signal intelligence due to electromagnetic fields and reflections from the turbine blades. For this reason, every wind farm should conduct an impact and noise analysis. He then asked what the plans are and whether there is a readiness to carry out such studies.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Based on the interests of national defense and surveillance capability, there is an eastern boundary where wind energy development is effectively prohibited. The opinions and impact assessments of the Ministry of Defense shall be taken into account, and no compromise will be made regarding national defense interests.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Vladimir Arhipov to speak.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov asks whether the rhetoric of the 2025 government means that oil shale energy will be maintained after 2040, and whether this implies a reduction in wind energy projects, given that renewable energy cannot guarantee energy security and price stability.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The electricity system requires dispatchable capacity, and if there isn't enough of it available on the market, oil shale energy is temporarily utilized. Elering is organizing a reverse auction for gas power plants to increase system flexibility. The pace of renewable energy development is influenced by market-based factors, and the system also needs storage and interconnections with neighboring countries to ensure energy security.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The speech called Evelin Poolamets to the stage.
Evelin Poolamets
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Evelin Poolamets emphasized that the minister referred to the guideline for the environmental impact assessment of wind farms, which was compiled by a specific private limited company (OÜ). She then asked whether this guideline has been adopted as a legal act within the ministry, whether the Riigikogu (Parliament) has approved it, and how a situation has arisen where domestic norms and legal acts are absent, yet a mere guideline is deemed sufficient.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The referenced analysis was commissioned externally, but the vibration limit values and the environmental impact assessment are based on documents and rules established by the state, and they are also governed by a regulation issued by the Minister of Social Affairs.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi declared the processing of the agenda item concluded and promised that going forward, there would be one designated speaker for each faction (in the current example, Anti Poolamets), and that he would reopen negotiations if necessary.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets criticized the current noise measurements concerning wind farms, citing Toomas Toimet's critique as an example. He emphasized that the noise level from the 38 turbines at the Tootsi wind farm is clearly audible, noting that the measurements fail to account for the cumulative sound of all turbines or select appropriate reference points. He stressed the necessity of professional studies that genuinely incorporate and address the existing criticism.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi requests three more minutes.
Anti Poolamets
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Anti Poolamets warns that the radio noise generated by Estonian wind and solar farms interferes with the Defense Forces' signal intelligence, navigation, and GPS, rendering the situation unmanageable, as mitigation measures are ineffective, unified radio noise criteria are lacking, and there is a need for external experts and a separate study methodology for each individual park.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanked everyone, announced that there were no further requests to speak, and stated that the debates and the processing of the third agenda item were concluded, noting that the minister did not wish to take the floor.