The Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi replied to the interpellation concerning the need for additional financing of Eesti Energia (No 311), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Rannar Vassiljev, Andres Anvelt, Heljo Pikhof, Sven Mikser, Kajar Lember, Jevgeni Ossinovski, Jaak Allik, Karel Rüütli, Helmen Kütt, Kalev Kotkas, Marianne Mikko, Eiki Nestor and Kalvi Kõva on 25 March. 

The interpellators referred to the data published in the press according to which the need to extend the equity capital of Eesti Energia may amount to up to a billion euro, half of which should come from the state. In the interpellators’ words, at the same time, the Supervisory Board does not have an overview as to which investments are planned and when they are planned to be made. 

According to Ligi’s explanations, the state allocated 150 million euro to the equity of the enterprise last year, and this year the amount is going to be 200 million euro, but these investments are probably going to be delayed for technical reasons and the money is not going to be needed this year. It has also yet to be decided if it will be needed next year. 

Speaking about additional investments and the justification of financial injections in the near future, Ligi noted that, again, it has yet to be decided. The Government has been receiving overviews of the investment needs of the enterprise by 10 years. He added that they had not been discussed yet this year. In his words, fuel oil industry is one place where investments are being delayed for technical reasons. The circumstances of further action need to be specified. Ligi noted that, of course, Eesti Energia had made most of its investments with borrowed capital. 435 loans have been taken in the last two years in 2011‒2012 and, as at the end of the year, they amount to 733 million euro on the balance sheet, the Minister of Finance explained. 

In Ligi’s words, Eesti Energia is not fleecing consumers, as is often tried to be claimed. He underlined that the competition is very tough in that field – costs are increasing and revenues are controlled by the market. “Looking at long-term average indicators of NordPool, it must be said that they are restrictive and even risky in terms of the profitability of electricity production,” Ligi said. 

The Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Juhan Parts replied to the interpellation concerning the reduction of home costs (No 313), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Tarmo Tamm, Olga Sõtnik, Kalev Kallo, Priit Toobal, Viktor Vassiljev, Yana Toom, Ester Tuiksoo, Mailis Reps, Kadri Simson, Aivar Riisalu, Mihhail Stalnuhhin, Valeri Korb, Vladimir Velman, Lauri Laasi, Peeter Võsa, Enn Eesmaa and Eldar Efendijev on 26 March. 

The Minister of Social Affairs Taavi Rõivas replied to two interpellations. They were the following: 

the interpellation concerning the problems with a development plan of the Ministry of Social Affairs (No 309), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Marika Tuus-Laul, Valeri Korb, Vladimir Velman and Tarmo Tamm on 18 March; 

the interpellation concerning the availability and quality of welfare service (No 317), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Viktor Vassiljev, Peeter Võsa, Aadu Must, Kadri Simson, Mailis Reps, Tarmo Tamm, Ester Tuiksoo, Valeri Korb and Lauri Laasi on 28 March. 

The Minister of the Environment Keit Pentus-Rosimannus replied to two interpellations. They were the following: 

the interpellation concerning compliance with the Hunting Act (No 314), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Aivar Riisalu, Ester Tuiksoo, Helmen Kütt, Karel Rüütli, Lembit Kaljuvee, Rainer Vakra, Rein Randver and Tiit Tammsaar on 27 March; 

the interpellation concerning the implementation of the Estonian hunting development plan (No 315), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Aivar Riisalu, Ester Tuiksoo, Heljo Pikhof, Helmen Kütt, Karel Rüütli, Lembit Kaljuvee, Rein Randver and Tiit Tammsaar on 28 March. 

The sitting ended at 7.05 p.m. 

The Riigikogu Press Service 

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