Energetics
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th session, information briefing
Date: 2025-06-18 16:21
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 13
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 15m
AI Summaries: 13/13 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The seventh question addressed the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, and MP Mart Maastik represented the question on the topic of energy. The central theme was the competitiveness of electricity prices and the role of renewable energy in Estonia's supply security, including the impact of research on policy: the main findings of the AFRY-commissioned study and subsequent opinions on the TalTech study, which indicate the impact of renewable energy on end prices at a certain level. Generally, it was emphasized that it is possible to order quality research for a reasonable amount of time and money, and that Estonia’s electricity price is partially higher than that of its neighbours; the cost of renewable energy compared to ENMAK can reach up to €14 per megawatt-hour; ground wind and solar energy are competitive without major new subsidies, and an organic scenario could bring the lowest end price and the possibility of reducing the price by up to €7 per MWh through an overload fee by 2035. Therefore, the question arose as to how these studies and the decisions made based on them should be utilized, and whether plans for the development of ground wind farms remain relevant.
The Minister responded that research can be commissioned for a reasonable price, and the main findings of the AFRY study were presented at the ministry, but the entire text has not been officially handed over. He also highlighted a second study by the TalTech team, which confirms that renewable energy reduces end prices at a certain level, and emphasized the need to increase local production capacity and reduce dependence on imports. In addition, the question was addressed in the context of connections with Latvia and the European Union, and the development of offshore wind energy via Saaremaa, and its financing through KIK, emphasizing the need for a thorough assessment and consideration of several possible corridors, as well as opportunities for financing European Union joint-interest projects. In this regard, it was emphasized that compromises and the selection of different corridors must be made, and decisions should not be made based solely on one external connection.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made.
Most Active Speaker
Mart Maastik was the most active questioner, posing two thorough and critical questions that addressed both the AFRY study’s findings and the purpose and financing of nationally developed major projects (Elwind, the fourth connection). His questions were aimed at challenging the justification for government energy policy and subsidization (elsewhere).
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar moves us forward. The seventh question is on energy, which Riigikogu member Mart Maastik will pose to Energy Minister Andres Sutle.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik presented the key findings of the AFRY study, commissioned by the Estonian Employers' Confederation, concerning electricity price competitiveness: the industrial price in Estonia is currently higher than in neighboring countries, the renewable energy fee could increase by up to 14 euros, and the organic scenario would yield the lowest final price. He then asked whether the government was aware of the study and if subsidizing the construction of onshore wind farms remains justified.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Studies can be commissioned at a reasonable price and speed. The main conclusions of the AFRY study have been presented to the ministry, but the full text has not been officially submitted, and several questions have arisen regarding the underlying assumptions. Recently, a TalTech study commissioned by the Economic Committee, involving Kadri Männasoo and Einari Kisel, was published. This study indicates that renewable energy, up to a certain level, lowers the final price for consumers. Renewable energy is the fastest way to increase local production and reduce import dependency, and the prices are cheaper than those of alternatives. Estonia's position among the Baltic Sea countries shows that electricity is cheaper for household consumers and also for companies with small consumption volumes, but the price is higher for companies with large consumption volumes. Furthermore, the AFRY study does not state that we do not need to invest more in renewable energy.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chair thanks the speaker and asks them to pose a clarifying question.
Mart Maastik
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Mart Maastik asks why the state is still developing offshore wind energy and incurring very large costs, such as the Elwind project in Saaremaa and the construction of the 330-kV line, when its funding has been secured since 2021 through the Environmental Investments Centre (KIK), and the special planning for Latvia's fourth connection via Saaremaa is ongoing. He requests clarification regarding the project's total costs, financing, and necessity, and why it is so expensive, given that experts, including Hando Sutter, have stated that the primary objective is connecting the offshore wind farm.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister Sutt said that decisions on external connections will not be made prior to thorough studies and socio-economic impact assessments, and funding for these projects will be sought within the framework of the European Union’s Projects of Common Interest, with a focus on the corridor running from Ventspils, Latvia, to Saaremaa, and the consultations related to its optimization.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The phrase "Your time!" means it's time for you to take action and assume responsibility for your life.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The message is that even though we might prefer to take a different path, we have to make compromises in certain areas.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the Minister and asks Lauri Laats to ask a follow-up question.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats asserts that cheap energy is the engine of the economy and that green policy is failing, having caused price volatility and corporate losses. He calls on the state, together with businesses, to find solutions for bringing companies and investments to Estonia.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offers his thanks and addresses the minister with a request.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Clean energy is crucial for ensuring the competitiveness of the economy, and to achieve this, we must combine nuclear, wind, hydro, and solar energy with storage solutions, establish manufacturing or industrial facilities nearby, and create a PPA market to mitigate price volatility and unlock investment opportunities.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
He thanks everyone and concludes the consideration of today's seventh question.