Inquiry regarding jobs and well-being outside of Harjumaa - the development of industry and production versus energy deficit (no. 768)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th sitting, plenary session
Date: 2025-09-08 21:25
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 32
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 32/32 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
During the Riigikogu session, the fourth item on the agenda was the discussion of Inquiry No. 768, submitted on May 7, 2025, by Riigikogu members Jaanus Karilaid, Andres Metsoja, Priit Sibul, Tõnis Lukas, Enn Eesmaa, and Ants Frosch. This inquiry addressed jobs and welfare outside Harju County, focusing on the development of industry and manufacturing in the context of energy shortages. Speaking on behalf of the questioners, Jaanus Karilaid emphasized that regional inequality and the lack of jobs outside Tallinn's "golden circle" is a long-standing problem that remains unresolved despite election promises. Karilaid highlighted the practical concerns of businesses in Lääne County, where expansion is hindered by a deficit in energy capacity or connection costs reaching millions, and stressed that improving the economic environment requires not only energy but also the maintenance of the road network.
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo responded to the inquiry, noting that while energy infrastructure falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Climate, energy remains a critical input for industry. The Minister presented measures aimed at supporting regional development, including supply security support for businesses, extending the length of direct lines to 15 kilometers for large consumers, and additional investments in the electricity grids of Ida-Viru County. He also highlighted support for large-scale investments, where the grant rate is higher outside Harju County (15% vs 10%), and amendments to the Planning Act for the accelerated processing of strategic industrial areas in the regions. Minister Keldo confirmed that specific complaints regarding the stalled expansion of Lääne County businesses had not reached the ministry, but expressed readiness to assist entrepreneurs. At the end of the discussion, Jaanus Karilaid proposed organizing a ministerial visit to Lääne County in the coming months, to which Minister Erkki Keldo immediately agreed.
Decisions Made 1
The Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo, agreed to Jaanus Karilaid's proposal to organize a visit to Läänemaa businesses within the next 2–3 months (before Christmas) to discuss the problems related to the energy shortage on site and find solutions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The fourth item on the Riigikogu's agenda addresses the interpellation submitted on May 7, 2025, concerning jobs and welfare outside Harju County, and Jaanus Karilaiu will appear as the rapporteur on behalf of the interpellators.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
As the fourth item on the agenda, Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi introduced Interpellation No. 768, submitted by members of the Riigikogu, which addressed issues concerning jobs and well-being outside Harju County, specifically in the context of industrial development and the energy deficit, and gave the floor to Jaanus Karilaid on behalf of the interpellators.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid thanks the presiding officer and his colleagues, highlighting the presiding officer’s quoting of the yellow book and the high level of political maneuvering achieved with Laats, which is very rarely seen.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address highlights the value of magnanimity and encourages the appreciation of generosity.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid emphasizes that the energy shortage and weak infrastructure prevalent in Läänemaa are hindering business expansion and job creation outside Harju County, and that concrete political steps are needed to strengthen the energy sector, the economic environment, and local municipalities so that businesses do not move production elsewhere.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid draws attention to the deficiencies in political culture and addresses an interpellation submitted four months ago, which focuses on reducing socio-economic inequality and creating jobs outside Harju County. He emphasizes that regional development and the expansion of businesses in Lääne County are being obstructed by a critical shortage of energy capacity, for the resolution of which specific answers are being demanded from the minister, as this is vital for improving the economic environment and competitiveness.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid criticizes politicians for failing to deliver on election promises and for the low level of political culture. He stresses that the core issue raised in the interpellation submitted four months ago—regional inequality, job shortages, and a critical energy deficit hindering industrial expansion outside Harju County, particularly in Lääne County—remains unresolved. Consequently, the minister is being asked to provide a clear action plan to eliminate the infrastructure and energy capacity shortfall in order to improve the economic environment and overall competitiveness.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the audience and then gave the floor to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, colleague Erkki Keldo.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address expressed gratitude to the audience and announced that we have a wonderful opportunity to hear from the Minister of Economy and Industry, Erki Keldo.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo responded to an inquiry concerning the availability of jobs and energy capacity outside Harju County, explaining that the ministry is systematically developing regional industry, which is structured around three regional focus areas. Energy policy is guided by the ENMAK 2035 development plan, aiming to ensure a competitive final price and security of supply. This objective is supported by extending the maximum length of direct lines, providing security of supply subsidies, and developing electricity networks in Ida-Viru County. Furthermore, measures aimed at reducing regional inequality are being implemented, such as grants for large-scale investments (with a higher rate outside Harju County), the development of industrial parks, and amending the Planning Act to accelerate strategic investments. At the same time, the Minister called upon entrepreneurs to contact the ministry regarding the resolution of specific issues.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
The Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry, Erkki Keldo, responded to a query regarding the securing of jobs and welfare and the availability of energy capacities outside Harju County, confirming that the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications is systematically engaged in the development of regional industry. This is achieved by supporting companies with supply security grants, the extension of direct lines, and large-scale investment subsidies, noting that the support rates are higher outside Harju County. Furthermore, he promised to accelerate planning processes in strategic industrial areas, while simultaneously urging entrepreneurs to contact the ministry directly to resolve any potential connection issues.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo stated that Estonia plans, within the framework of ENMAK, to target regions outside Harju County to ensure energy security and a competitive final price. The country will utilize support measures for major investments, the expansion of direct utility lines, the development of industrial parks, and the simplification of the Planning Act to promote investments and job creation in these regions.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The Deputy Chairman begins his address with thanks, and it is mentioned that Jaanus has one question, and Jaanus Karilaid is invited to ask it.
Jaanus Karilaid
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Jaanus Karilaid, refraining from criticism, made a public proposal to the minister to organize a constructive visit to Läänemaa enterprises within the next two to three months, offering his assistance in organizing it so that they could jointly find solutions to the problems, and requested immediate agreement for the proposal.
Jaanus Karilaid
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Jaanus Karilaid put forward a constructive proposal to organize a visit, spanning 2–3 months before Christmas, to tour Läänemaa companies, look into their problems and potential solutions, and he sought consent for this.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi thanked the speaker, noting that the address was more of a plea than a question, and asked the minister for a response.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo answered briefly in the affirmative.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The proposal was to visit Läänemaa within three to four months.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo confirms his agreement, stressing that, for the purpose of drafting the economic action plan and familiarizing himself with the current situation, he has repeatedly traveled to different regions of Estonia this year to collect direct feedback, and has also regularly met with major professional and umbrella organizations.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
He confirmed that this year he has visited dozens of regions across Estonia to gather local feedback, and has met every six months with major professional and umbrella organizations to develop the economic action plan.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid is speaking at the location, and he is asked for clarification via a microphone from the hall.
Jaanus Karilaid
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Jaanus Karilaid is handling the preparation for the visit and is sharing the collected information specifically with those companies currently facing obstacles in expanding or entering the desired region, despite having a genuine desire and need to do so.
Jaanus Karilaid
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We are preparing for this visit and taking this issue to the actual locations—to businesses that are looking to expand, and also to places where they wanted to go but couldn't.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo confirmed his availability for the meeting, but stressed that specific proposals and ideas should not wait until the physical encounter; instead, they should be submitted immediately in writing so that work on them can commence without delay.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo stated that he is ready to meet, but there is no need to wait for the meeting; if there are specific proposals, they can be sent immediately in writing so that work can begin on those proposals.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invited Peeter Ernits to speak.
Peeter Ernits
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Peeter Ernits asked the minister, who hails directly from Põltsamaa, whether local residents had prevailed against the wind farms planned for the Põltsamaa area, or if those projects would still be imposed. He also inquired how many new jobs those wind turbines would create.
Peeter Ernits
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Peeter Ernits questions the impact on locals of the wind turbines planned around Põltsamaa—whether they will bring jobs and joy, or if they will simply be put up, and exactly how many jobs would be created.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Erkki Keldo stated that the Põltsamaa municipal council terminated the planning process. He expressed sadness over the misinformation and the uncivil discussion, emphasizing the need for a rational and fact-based debate, and noted that decisions on planning fall under the jurisdiction of the local council, although the state can create national plans or amend legislation, and that Estonia needs additional energy production capacity.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo expressed regret over the Põltsamaa Municipal Council’s decision to terminate the planning process, which he noted had generated a great deal of misinformation and uncivil squabbling within the community. He stressed that Estonia needs additional production capacity to ensure affordable energy, and that debates should be conducted rationally, based on facts, and with respectful communication, given that the local council ultimately holds the authority to make decisions regarding planning.
Majandus- ja tööstusminister Erkki Keldo
AI Summary
Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo, speaking as a resident of Põltsamaa, expresses regret over the municipal council’s decision to terminate the planning process, which generated a great deal of misinformation, conflict, and unnecessary resentment within the community. He stressed that while decisions regarding planning fall under the purview of the local council, Estonia needs additional production capacity to secure affordable energy, and debates should be conducted rationally and factually, avoiding fear-mongering.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi expresses his thanks and announces that the questions are exhausted, opens and closes the debates, and the consideration of the fourth agenda item is concluded.