At its Monday sitting, the European Union Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu confirmed the positions of the government for the European Council and the Euro Summit, which will concentrate on the future of climate and energy policy. Estonia’s goal is to ensure that oil shale industry remains competitive and attractive to investors.

“At the moment, Estonia hopes that oil shale would not be considered more polluting than crude oil at the EU level. Otherwise it would be impossible for us to sell oil shale based diesel on the European internal market,” said the Chairman of the European Union Affairs Committee Kalle Palling, adding that it was hugely more resource efficient to produce car and ship fuels from oil shale diesel, rather than producing electricity by burning oil shale.

“Insecurity has stopped Estonian oil shale businesses from investing into the construction of a refining plant. But for the future energy security of Estonia it is very important to use the full potential of producing liquid fuels locally. We also promote more extensive power networks in the Baltic states and synchronising our power systems with Central Europe,” Palling said.

The European Union is moving towards more climate friendly and sustainable energy production – and consumption. Estonia supports the objectives in the 2030 framework for climate and energy policies to reduce greenhouse gases by 40 %, increase the percentage of renewable energy in the end consumption to 27 %, and energy efficiency to 30 %.

At the European Council and the Euro Summit, held on 23–24 October in Brussels, Estonia will be represented by Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas.

The Riigikogu Press Service