Published on April 14, 2021

Environmental associations: future Estonian energy system will rely on renewable and sustainable sources, decentralization and energy communities

The Energy Vision of the environmental associations created by the initiative of the Estonian Green Movement (EGM) sets out the goals and solutions which Estonia must strive for over the next 15 years and beyond. The vision is based on the latest scientific knowledge and the experience of other countries.

Time-critical nature of the climate crisis

According to the vision, it is necessary to focus on distributed wind and solar energy production and smart energy storage solutions. In addition to technological solutions, much more needs to be done to involve communities and to save energy in every area of ​society.

The environmental associations exclude oil shale and unsustainable biomass from the list of future energy sources, as well as carbon capture technologies and nuclear energy, as the time-critical nature of the climate crisis makes it mandatory to focus on existing solutions. The transition to new solutions must be just and gradual.

Technology cannot be solution alone

Silver Sillak, an EGM advocacy expert, explains: “Many of the energy technologies needed for the green transition have been around for a long time and their widespread use would bring us cheaper electricity, cleaner air and new high-paying jobs. At the same time, the focus cannot be on technological solutions alone, as the transition is hampered by insufficient involvement of citizens and local communities and a growing gap between the “winners” and “losers” of the transition.”

“The government should use the decentralized nature of renewable energy as an opportunity to democratize the energy sector and thus accelerate the green transition.

Reality check

Madis Vasser, Member of the Board of EGM, states that the Estonian energy debate needs a serious reality check, which is offered by the Energy Vision: “Today, policymakers are trying to solve an essentially impossible task: to cope with increasing energy consumption while making the sector more sustainable and decentralized.”

“Until we dare to discuss a reduction in production and consumption, an enormous amount of time and money will be wasted on technological illusions such as carbon capture or an experimental nuclear power plant.”

“Based on the research of recent years, the Energy Vision points out that a realistic green transition is only possible with community-based renewable energy and offers steps to do so.”

The main goal of the Energy Vision is to help ensure that future energy policies in Estonia are based on the latest knowledge and include wise and sustainable choices.

The creation of the Energy Vision was led by the Estonian Green Movement with the help of the Estonian Fund for Nature, the Environmental Law Center, the Baltic Environmental Forum, the Tartu Student Nature Conservation Association, the Estonian Ornithological Society, the Heritage Conservation Association, the Estonian Student Environmental Protection Association Sorex, MTÜ Nõmme Tee Selts and Läänerannik.

The Energy Vision can be found HERE.