Electricity prices
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-01-10 15:33
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 12
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 12m
AI Summaries: 12/12 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Within the framework of the seventh item on the Riigikogu's agenda, a question posed to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding electricity prices, raised by Riigikogu member Aleksei Jevgrafov, was discussed. Jevgrafov criticized the extremely high market prices in Estonia (referencing the peak of January 5th at €890.54/MWh) and asked whether the government had made mistakes and if exiting the electricity exchange was being considered. Prime Minister Kallas refuted the claim that Estonian electricity is constantly expensive, noting that in 2023, Estonia was the seventh cheapest in the European Union in terms of market prices, and the average price was 25% lower than the EU average. She explained the price peaks by citing extreme weather conditions and a lack of Finnish production capacity, and emphasized the government's systematic work to improve security of supply and introduce new renewable and dispatchable capacities to the market.
In a follow-up question, Jevgrafov focused on the general economic situation, particularly the growing unemployment in Ida-Virumaa (13.4%) and the impact of high energy prices on purchasing power. Kallas conceded the recession forecast but emphasized high employment and introduced the government's plans to support Ida-Virumaa through the Just Transition Fund, aiming to create new jobs and support the transition to Estonian-language education. An additional question was posed by Aleksander Tšaplõgin, who highlighted specific examples of high heating bills in Narva-Jõesuu, Loksa, and Aravete. Kallas explained that the heating problem in Narva is related to the failure to establish a district heating area, and the government is working to solve this using additional funding from the Just Transition Fund.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made
Most Active Speaker
Riigikogu member Aleksei Jevgrafov was the most active questioner, submitting both the initial question regarding electricity prices and a thorough clarifying question concerning the situation of unemployment and the economy in Ida-Viru County.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Parliament has now moved on to the seventh question of the day, which will be posed by Riigikogu Member Aleksei Yevgrafov to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the price of electricity.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov, in his address, highlighted that the Estonian electricity price reached €890.54/MWh on January 5th and remains consistently higher than in other regions. He attributed this to errors in Finnish energy policy and the decommissioning of older capacity, and subsequently questioned whether the government is considering measures to guarantee an affordable price or even Estonia's withdrawal from the electricity exchange.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas confirmed that the day saw extraordinary electricity prices, caused by cold weather and the partial shutdown of Finnish coal power plants. However, she noted that Estonian exchange prices were the seventh cheapest among EU countries in 2023. Furthermore, the government is addressing electricity supply security, increasing renewable energy capacity, and developing storage capacity, all in conjunction with the Ministry of Climate’s major plan to cover Estonia’s peak power needs.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Hussar thanked the previous speaker, invited Aleksei Yevgrafov to take the floor with a clarifying question, and noted that registration had just closed.
Aleksei Jevgrafov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Aleksei Jevgrafov points out that although the government sees the Estonian economy growing, the rising unemployment, the drop in purchasing power, and the unstable and high electricity prices in Ida-Virumaa are directly detrimental to the well-being of families, and he is asking for a concrete plan to save the situation in the immediate future.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas stated that while the economy is not growing rapidly and unemployment may rise, the government is systematically addressing the concerns of Ida-Virumaa. Furthermore, it will ensure the rapid deployment of 1.9 billion euros in investment funds by involving the special representative for Ida-Virumaa, attracting investments to create new jobs, and raising teachers' salaries to facilitate a smoother transition to Estonian-language education, thereby ensuring people can find employment.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar announces that it is your time.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stresses that these steps are specifically designed to mitigate the risk of rising unemployment.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offered his thanks, announced an additional question, and invited Aleksander Tšaplõgin to take the floor next.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
He/She cited examples of heating bills for apartments in Narva-Jõesuu, Loksa, and Aravete, and asked whether those levels were normal and what the Competition Authority was doing.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that Narva's heating problem has escalated over the years, and to solve it, a comprehensive solution—including a heat pump, a boiler plant, and thermal storage—has been planned for the territory of the Balti Power Plant. Furthermore, discussions are underway regarding how to rapidly utilize the additional funding allocated from the Just Transition Fund to establish the district heating network and execute the general plan.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman offers his thanks and announces that the consideration of the seventh item will be concluded today.