Agenda Profile: Anti Poolamets
Second reading of the draft law amending the Electricity Market Act (556 SE)
2025-05-07
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary sitting
Political Position
The political position is strongly opposed to the uncontrolled integration of weather-dependent renewable energy (so-called "intermittent power") into the electricity grid, citing stability risks (Spain/Portugal) and economic inefficiency. Emphasis is placed on prioritizing dispatchable generation capacities (fossil fuels, biomass, storage), and clarification is demanded regarding risk analyses and the costs associated with isolated grid operation (island mode). The political framework is heavily focused on risk assessment and valuing the natural environment.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise in energy terminology, clearly differentiating between intermittent and dispatchable energy, and references the explanatory memorandum of the draft bill. Technical arguments are employed concerning grid stability (with international examples) and the costs associated with decommissioning wind turbines, drawing also on basic principles of physics. The claims are further supported by citing international economic studies regarding indicators of bankruptcy in wind farms.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is passionate, provocative, and strongly critical, using emotional terms ("monsters," "absurd") and expressing satisfaction with the fervor of the discussion that has emerged. It appeals to both logic (laws of nature, physics textbooks) and emotions (the destruction of the landscape), using historical comparisons (Comrade Lysenko) and examples of international catastrophes. The speaker is formal, but actively seeks confrontation and demands terminological precision.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
The speaker is active and highly responsive in parliamentary debate activities, passionately participating in the second reading of the draft amendment to the Electricity Market Act and requesting an extension of time. This pattern of engagement demonstrates a readiness to intervene in heated political disputes and to counter the arguments put forth by previous speakers.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The main opponents are the proponents of intermittent power, who are criticized for their ideological vision and for ignoring the laws of nature. The criticism is intense and politically driven, focusing on the underestimation of risks (grid stability) and costs (islanding operation, decommissioning). The opponents' positions are compared to failed ideological science (Lysenko).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The collaborative approach is contingent and rather didactic, offering the counterpart the opportunity to seek advice on school physics topics or organize reading evenings. In the debate, the style is confrontational, prompting a discussion of terminology (juhuelekter) with a specific colleague (Ms. Akkermann) and the terminologists of the Riigikogu.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is on both international impacts (the blackouts in Spain/Portugal, and the bankruptcies of wind farms in Sweden and Great Britain) as well as strongly local effects. Examples cited from Estonia include the Väike-Maarja wind turbines, the flooding of bogs, and a personal example of the "30 monstrosities" project located near Vinni municipality, emphasizing the destruction of the landscape and the bankruptcy risk faced by local governments.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic perspectives are skeptical regarding the profitability of intermittent power, citing Swedish studies that highlight signs of bankruptcy and inefficiency within wind farms. Emphasis is placed on the necessity of controlling and forecasting major costs (such as island operation and decommissioning), which could amount to hundreds of millions and potentially bankrupt local municipalities. Preference is given to the efficient utilization of existing grid resources and dispatchable technologies.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
Insufficient data.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on opposing the draft Act amending the Electricity Market Act (556 SE), particularly concerning the integration of weather-dependent energy. The speaker is a strong opponent, demanding clarification of the terminology used in the draft's explanatory memorandum and the conducting of risk analyses before the act is adopted.
3 Speeches Analyzed