The Future of Energy
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing
Date: 2025-06-18 16:09
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 11m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Within the framework of the sixth tuning question, the focus was on the future of Estonian energetics and choices regarding energy production. Energetics and environment minister Andres Sutt was the guest speaker, and the questions were primarily directed towards the expansion of wind energy, the formation of prices, and the role of subsidies for consumers. The discussion also addressed the state’s plans to maintain control over local production, examined possibilities for achieving more favorable prices for consumers, and dealt with the functioning of the market, including the role of the Nord Pool exchange and the issue of speculation. The minister introduced near-term steps: launching tenders for the creation of renewable energy capacities, creating a sustainable energy portfolio, and near-term developments in the context of oil and gas, including the future consideration of nuclear energetics and CO2 capture topics.
Decisions Made 2
Next month, a tender is planned for the creation of renewable energy capacities, focusing primarily on onshore wind power, in order to increase local production capacity and reduce the risk to consumers in the energy market.
A draft law on the introduction of nuclear energy is being prepared for the Riigikogu, and a nuclear regulator will be established; the goal is to have the equipment ready for implementation and operations by 2027.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker was Aleksandr Tšaplõgin (with handle B7Mk-PeTvgo); his role is as a member of the Estonian parliament, and he posed two clarifying questions regarding wind energy, how pricing works, and market opportunities. Position: other (not clearly left or right wing).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman announces that we are moving on to the sixth question, which is addressed to the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt. The questioner is Riigikogu member Aleksandr Tšaplõgin, and the topic is the future of energy.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He poses several questions regarding the 400-turbine energy security plan: why this should improve the situation when a lack of wind drives up electricity prices, whether adding more turbines will increase consumer subsidies, and whether wind energy is only profitable when prices are high.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Energy and Environment Minister Andres Sutt stated that Estonia must boost its local capacity, primarily through onshore wind, arguing that renewable energy helps drive down electricity prices. He noted that solar energy is already saturated, old subsidies are expiring, and small-scale tenders for creating new capacity will be announced next month. This move is expected to spur investment growth and result in a lower electricity price (in June, the average price was just under 59 euros per megawatt-hour).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the previous speaker and asks Aleksandr Tšaplõgin to pose a clarifying question.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He stated that only 11% of Estonian electricity transactions on Nord Pool result in an actual purchase, while 89% are speculative. He added that the price difference with Finland stems from the profits of Elering and its Finnish partner, and he questioned whether this constitutes a free market and fair competition, and whether they should consider withdrawing from the electricity exchange.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
To ensure competitive pricing and energy security, Estonia must increase domestic production and dispatchable capacity, prepare for the deployment of nuclear energy complete with a regulatory framework, and continue utilizing gas power plants, all while ensuring the security of critical infrastructure and maintaining a diverse energy portfolio that reduces the environmental footprint.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar thanks the previous speaker and gives the floor to his colleague, Aleksei Yevgrafov, who will ask a supplementary question.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov asks the minister to investigate whether Alar Konist's claim regarding the existence of CO2 capture technology and the possibility of implementing it at an industrial scale is true, and whether its development in Estonia, the cost of which is approximately 200–300 million euros, is conceivable and possible to advance within the context of the Estonia 2035 strategy.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt said that he believes in innovation and technology, and while he hasn't yet looked into the specific claim, 200–300 million euros is a significant investment. He noted that the return on investment depends on the time period, and investors are weighing up different options. Solutions that combine renewable energy and storage will likely provide the fastest returns, rather than expensive technology, because although fossil fuel energy is declining and will eventually be phased out, that technology is currently economically unfeasible.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and concludes the discussion of our sixth question.