The Riigikogu discussed the interpellation concerning power supply in Saaremaa

The Minister of Climate Kristen Michal replied to the interpellation concerning power supply in Saaremaa (No. 68), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Mart Maastik, Riina Solman and Helir-Valdor Seeder.

According to the interpellators, the power supply on the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa is in a very bad state, and they asked what the minister was planning to do to ensure power supply on the large islands of Estonia in the event of extreme weather conditions.

“Reinforcement of the network is underway, weatherproofing the electricity systems of the large islands, both in the transmission network and distribution networks. In 2024, Elektrilevi will maintain a total of around 375 kilometres of medium and high-voltage power line corridors on the main islands. A total of 400 kilometres of line corridors will be extended in the coming years. In addition, in the period 2023–2025, Elektrilevi is planning to carry out investments in a total amount of nearly EUR 35 million on the large islands, which will replace about 450 kilometres of bare overhead lines with either covered overhead lines or underground cables,” the Minister of Climate commented.

According to Michal, through the European Resilience and Resilience Facility (RRF), Elering, the Estonian electricity and gas system operator, is implementing projects in wind-exposed areas, such as cabling overhead lines in the Small Strait. “On the island of Muhu, the 110-kilovolt overhead lines, which were previously on a single mast, have now been moved to separate masts, guaranteeing consumers security of supply for several decades. In Saaremaa, too, overhead lines will be moved to separate masts in several places and existing lines will be reinforced to ensure better capacity,” Võrklaev said. He outlined a number of other works that would contribute to ensuring security of electricity supply in Saaremaa in 2023–2028.

The minister pointed out that trees and branches falling on the lines during severe weather conditions were the main cause of breakdowns. He noted that, in 2023, Elektrilevi had started a large-scale line corridor widening project, where the line corridors would be cleared of trees and branches. According to Michal, the project concerns the most vulnerable overhead lines, i.e. bare overhead lines, which feed the most customers. “The extension of the corridor will be carried out along the entire protection zone. This means clearing ten metres on each side of the line axis for medium voltage networks and 25 metres for high voltage networks,” the Minister of Climate said.

Answering a question on whether Saaremaa would receive a 330-kilovolt power line to ensure security of electricity supply, Michal said that Elering’s existing 110-kilovolt transmission network had sufficient capacity and reliability to cover the current consumption of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa for several decades. He pointed out that additional capacity may be needed if additional generating capacity is added, notably offshore wind farms.

During the debate, Aivar Kokk, and Mart Maastik from Isamaa Parliamentary Group took the floor.

Michal also replied to the interpellations concerning the Environmental Sector Development Plan 2030 (No. 492), the environmental impact of mandatory renovation of buildings and people’s ability to pay (No. 123) and the underfunding of the state infrastructure (No. 334), submitted by members of the Riigikogu. The Minister of Finance Mart Võrklaev replied to the interpellations concerning the widespread unjustified classification of documents (No. 589), electricity supply security (No. 590), the establishment of a car tax (No. 310) and the taxation of people by inflation (No. 317).

Three interpellations which the interpellators had withdrawn were excluded from the agenda. So the interpellation concerning a permanent connection with Saaremaa (No. 260) and the underfunding of the state infrastructure (No. 473), submitted to the Minister of Climate, and the interpellation concerning the raising of personal income tax (No. 453), submitted to the Minister of Finance, were not discussed.

The sitting ended at 8.32 p.m.

Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)

Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.

Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592, +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Link uudisele: The Riigikogu discussed the interpellation concerning power supply in Saaremaa

Source: Parliament of Estonia