Agenda Profile: Anti Poolamets
Debate on the nationally significant issue "The Drawbacks of Wind Power," initiated by the faction of the Estonian Conservative People's Party.
2025-04-24
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the government's strategy concerning the green transition and wind energy (the ‘wind turbine policy’), which is considered economically detrimental, incompetent, and fraudulent. Emphasis is placed on the need to invest in stable energy sources (a nuclear power plant, oil shale plants) and to protect the Estonian taxpayer and heritage landscapes. The political framework is a blend of value-based criticism (common sense, heritage landscapes) and results-based criticism (high electricity prices, the threat of bankruptcy).
6 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates knowledge regarding the negative impacts of wind farms, highlighting the health effects of infrasound and the necessary buffer zone (10–20 km). They also reference a Chinese study concerning biomass reduction and financial loss (€2 million per turbine). The speaker uses specific figures for subsidy volumes (€2.8 billion for offshore wind farms) and decommissioning costs (millions of euros per turbine). Furthermore, they are aware of the procedural deficiencies related to the state aid permit.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The speech is extremely combative, passionate, and cautionary, employing strong negative metaphors and comparisons (the Soviet lying machine, Khrushchev-era campaigns, mythomaniacal dissemination of information). The tone is predominantly emotional and accusatory, charging opponents with ridicule and incompetence. Specific data (subsidies, distances) is interwoven with dramatic and moral appeals (the plundering of heritage landscapes).
6 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is actively participating in the Riigikogu debate concerning an issue of significant national importance, repeatedly posing questions to the rapporteurs and responding to criticism. He/She mentions personally dealing with local complaints in the Sopi-Tootsi wind farm area and refers to documentaries ("Infrasound – Inaudible Noise," "Wind Energy Hangover") as crucial sources of information.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The primary targets are the proponents of the 'tuugen' policy (the Reform Party, Minister Keldo) and the 'tuugen' hustlers, who face accusations of fraud, insufficient analysis, and undermining democracy (specifically, the removal of local government rights). The criticism is intense, spanning from claims of political incompetence (citing the Ministry of Finance's calculations) to historical parallels (invoking Soviet nomenclature and apparatchiks). Mario Kadastik, in particular, is being criticized for mocking health issues.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
Not enough data.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The speaker focuses strongly on the protection of local municipalities and communities, highlighting the specific cases of Vinni municipality (150 giant wind turbines) and Kose municipality (legal disputes). Emphasis is also placed on the grievances coming from the Sopi-Tootsi area, and, more broadly, the threat of industrialization to the Saaremaa maritime zones and the Gulf of Livonia, all while defending heritage landscapes.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
The speaker is vehemently opposed to channeling state subsidies (totaling nearly 3 billion euros) into intermittent power sources, labeling it a waste of money and a way of fleecing the public. He advocates for investments in stable energy production (such as a nuclear power plant and the repair of oil shale power plants) and warns that extremely high electricity prices will destroy the functioning economy and businesses.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The focus is on public health concerns, highlighting the effects of infrasound and the necessity of protecting residents living near wind turbines—a situation that has even caused people to migrate from their homes. Furthermore, it safeguards heritage landscapes and natural living environments against industrialization.
6 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The primary legislative focus centers on the lack of existing statutory acts that would regulate the impacts and dismantling costs of large-scale wind turbines, costs which pose a threat of municipal bankruptcy. The speaker is strongly opposed to Minister Keldo’s plan to strip local municipalities of their right to participate in the decision-making process concerning the establishment of wind farms.
6 Speeches Analyzed