“At today’s meeting, we agreed on the steps to be taken to increase our energy independence and the use of renewable energy in our region. Climate goals and green transition are our long-term targets. Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has shown that we must move forward faster than previously planned in order to achieve them. We can use the Baltic Sea’s immense wind energy potential to forego Russian energy carriers and thus reduce Russia’s proceeds from the sale thereof, which the Kremlin uses to fund its military aggression in Ukraine,” Prime Minister Kallas noted after the meeting.
“The government has set a goal of covering 100% of our energy needs with renewable energy by 2030. This will lead to a cleaner environment and more affordable energy prices, increase security and provide companies with better innovation opportunities. “The joint plans agreed on today for developing the energy network and the construction of offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea help to achieve these targets even more quickly and efficiently,” said Kallas.
“We see offshore wind energy as an excellent way of transitioning to renewable energy, becoming independent of Russian energy and achieving our climate goals. Agreeing on common goals is vital in our region, because together we can achieve much more. Estonia’s vision is to cooperate with the countries in the Baltic region to create an energy network that would enable offshore wind farms to interconnect and thereby strengthen the connections between states. The state must ensure an affordable business environment, to increase the interest of wind energy developers in investing in Estonia,” said Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Riina Sikkut.
At the meeting, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Finland and Denmark signed a declaration, which confirmed the view that Russia has weaponised energy, which has created a need to strengthen the energy security of the European Union and cease the use of Russian energy carriers as quickly as possible. It was also agreed to strengthen the mutual energy cooperation to increase the security of supply and foresee a sevenfold increase of offshore wind energy capacities by 2030.
The energy ministers agreed on a more detailed action plan, according to which the Baltic Sea states agree on the offshore wind energy capacity goals for 2030, 2040 and 2050.
In addition to the Baltic Sea energy network, the declaration includes the ELWIND offshore wind farm and network developed jointly by Estonia and Latvia, Estlink 3 planned with Finland and synchronisation of energy networks with Central Europe as the key projects relevant to Estonia.
In order to achieve the objective set by the government and accelerate the transition to renewable energy, the Riigikogu adopted the so-called Wind Farm Fee Act, which sets forth financial compensation for people living near both onshore and offshore wind farms and local governments. In order to increase the share of renewable energy, the government will ensure reverse auctions of renewable energy at least in the volume of 1.65 TWh in the next three years.
There is also a plan to simplify permit granting processes and plans and shorten deadlines – projects of societal importance should be completed within three years.
Offshore wind farms are given the opportunity to apply for an integrated permit, so that developers could launch their projects more quickly.
Declaration of heads of state and government: https://valitsus.ee/media/5291/download
Declaration of energy ministers: https://valitsus.ee/media/5288/download
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas' Press Statement at the Baltic Sea Energy Security Summit: https://valitsus.ee/en/news/prime-minister-kaja-kallas-press-statement-baltic-sea-energy-security-summit
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stenbockimaja/albums/72177720301739343
