Agenda Profile: Yoko Alender
Draft law amending the Electricity Market Act (555 SE) - third reading
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political position focuses on strong support for energy security and independence, particularly through joining the Continental European frequency area and maintaining the oil shale reserve. The approach is policy-driven, emphasizing the importance of legislative changes (e.g., accelerating storage capacity development) in ensuring an affordable and reliable electricity supply. Although oil shale is not considered a future direction, its temporary use as a reserve is supported until new dispatchable capacities are completed. The Reform Party strongly supports the draft legislation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates significant expertise in energy policy and infrastructure, employing technical terminology like "frequency range," "congestion charge," and "dispatchable capacity." Concrete figures are provided for investments (1.6 billion euros) and consumer costs (1 cent/kWh, 13 euros annually for energy supply security). Special emphasis is placed on the role of new capacities, such as a 200 MW battery park, in stabilizing the system.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is confident and optimistic, emphasizing the positive nature of the achievements ("a super-positive step") and the paramount importance of ensuring energy security. The speaker uses logical arguments and data to justify the necessity of the bill, while initially refuting the false claims presented by opponents. The tone is formal and focuses on a detailed explanation of the policy.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively involved in the legislative process (the third reading) and constantly refers to ongoing negotiations with market participants aimed at determining the methodology for frequency reserves. Specific development projects are also mentioned, such as a battery storage facility scheduled for completion at the end of the year, which demonstrates a commitment to policy implementation.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The opposition is directly criticizing the Isamaa party for opposing the island operation bill, claiming that this would lead to a threefold increase in peak load prices. Furthermore, false claims presented by the deputy chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee regarding the ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement by India and China are being refuted. The criticism is policy-based and intense, focusing on highlighting the negative consequences stemming from the opponents' positions.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The speaker acknowledged the cooperation, praising the speech delivered by Jaak Aab, the former Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee, as both substantive and detailed. Achieving energy independence was highlighted as a joint effort that involved successful international cooperation among Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The regional focus is strongly aimed at cooperation between the Baltic states and Continental Europe on grid synchronization, mentioning a €1.6 billion investment for strengthening the networks. Domestically, attention is being focused on Ida-Viru County, a region where the historical production of oil shale electricity has caused environmental and health damage.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives support market-based solutions (such as the frequency reserve market) but emphasize the necessity of state intervention and regulation to ensure energy security. The development of storage capacity is considered crucial to maximize the economic benefit derived from cheap renewable energy hours and to keep electricity prices affordable.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Among the social issues mentioned is the historical cost of oil shale electricity production to the environment and the health of people living in Ida-Virumaa. This points to concerns about public health and environmental protection related to the energy transition.
2 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is currently on the Draft Act Amending the Electricity Market Act (555 SE). The primary priorities of this bill are accelerating the development of storage capacities and bringing oil shale power plants onto the market as a reserve (island operation mode). The speaker strongly supports the draft legislation and is pleased that it has reached the final vote, viewing it as a vital contribution to energy security.
2 Speeches Analyzed