BONJOUR L'ESTONIE

Estonia in the lead to win 2020 renewable energy race

Estonia is on track to become the first nation to meet the EU’s target of providing 20% of its final energy use from renewable sources, according to new Eurostat figures released on 26 April.

Across the continent, energies such as wind, solar and biomass contributed 13% of Europe’s total energy consumption in 2011, up 0.9% on the previous year. The highest shares of renewables were found in Sweden, Latvia, Finland and Austria but the EU has set countries different individual goals according to their circumstances, and only Estonia exceeded theirs. 

“It is always nice to be among the leaders,” said the Estonian Liberal MEP Kristiina Ojuland, speaking from her constituency in Eesti Reformierakond. “But I think that we were able to achieve this because of a very clear governmental policy and commitment to investments in the sector.”

“Also the Estonian people are mentally very open to renewable energy,” she added. “Being a small country it is easier to get something done when there is a political will.”

Since 2011, Estonia’s share of renewable energy has risen by two percentage points and currently stands at 14.9% of total consumption, according to the Tallinn-based grid operator Elering AS. This was largely down to increased biomass production, which has been criticized for its potential to increase carbon emissions. But wind output also rose by 23% due to three new wind parks.  

Estonia launches national electric car charging network

165 charging points around the country will use direct current to charge cars in less than 30 minutes: Estonia's reputation as one of the most wired-up countries in Europe has been boosted further with the opening of what is being billed as the world's first nationwide electric car charging network.

The sparsely populated Baltic state with a population of just 1.3 million hopes the 165 "fast chargers" will overcome the "chicken and egg" problem facing the take-up of electric cars worldwide. The network of charging points, which was opened officially on Wednesday but has been running for several months, uses direct current (DC) to charge cars in less than 30 minutes, rather than around eight hours to recharge a car's battery as is the case with most of the more than 3,000 points in the UK.

There are believed to be around 650 electric cars in Estonia, more than 500 of which were Mitsubishi i-MiEVs given to social workers by the government in 2011. Motorists can get grants of up to€18,000 (£15,700) off electric cars, compared to the £5,000 cap for the UK's electric car grant. The average full price for a new electric car is around £30,000.

Deer vandalize winter silage on Island

Farmers in Saaremaa say they have their hands full with red deer who are damaging their dairy herd's winter silage.

The deer are punching holes in sealed rolls of silage to try to get at the contents, a trend that becomes worse in colder weather.

Maku farm in Tahula village told the islands' daily Saarte Hääl that the damage started already before Christmas, when 80 bales were damaged.

For a while, the raids lessened during a thaw, but the deer are back and have damaged 300 bales out of 1,800 on that particular farm.

The Environmental Board's hunting specialist Ivar Marlen said that the agency's 2011 count found there were 1,700 red deer on Saaremaa. It says the population should be decreased and has taken steps toward this.

Kihnu bird survey

Snow is covering most of the mainland and last migrants escape from the winter. Due to strong wind during the night, I restart the radar system in the early morning. Meanwhile Margus get already first good bird of the day. 1cy Kittiwake/ kaljukajakas Rissa tridactyla fly over the southern spit, less than 10 meter away from Margus. Another new species, already 4th during this week, for the Kihnu island. Now is just about the best time to see this uncommon migrant.

Late, I hear calls of Pine Grosbeaks/ männileevike Pinicola enucleator again and I manage to find one adult male and one female type bird feeding in the distant. I try to get closer but birds continue soon their journey, so I only manage to get poor record shot. It has been great movement of Pine Grosbeaks in Southern Finland during last week and several individuals has been encountered in Estonia as well. Next weeks should bring them even more here - it could be start of the best invasion of the last decades.

Migration. It has been the best movement of Barnacle Geese/ valgepõsk-lagle Branta leucopsis of the season - 900 ind. and we also manage to see last flock of Cranes/ sookurg Grus grus (120 ind.) moving south. Also Stock Doves/ õõnetuvi Columba oenas showed small movement with 20 migrating individuals today and 12 migrating Wood Larks/ nõmmelõoke Lullula arborea has been recorded. And one late Lapland Bunting/ keltsalind Calcarius lapponicus has been encountered again on migration.

Local birds included already two Black Redstarts/ must-lepalind Phoenicurus ochruros nearby field station and several groups of Snow Buntings/ hangelind Plectrophenax nivalis has been flying around at the shore.

Tarvo Valker

"The Organic Revolution on Hiiumaa" : Pere ja Kodu magazine - 10/2012

There can't be anyone left in the country who hasn't heard the cry go up that Estonian meat and vegetables are too expensive to use in school dinners. So when we heard that the cook at Lauka School on the island of Hiiumaa had fomented an 'organic revolution', we joined Evelin Ilves to see it for ourselves.

"The best cook in the world!" is the praise that a boy from Grade 2 showers on cook Aimi Aromatov as he sticks his head around the door to her office. Having politely made his presence known, he responds to the cook's raised eyebrows with: "You are, because I know you are!"

The walls of Aimi's modest office are covered in colourful pictures and drawings. There are photos of the legendary Teachers' Table, to which the principal invites the most outstanding graduates every spring to sup with the staff. The man himself, artist Märt Rannast, admits that he's unsure whether it's the honour of sitting by the principal or the glory of the spread laid out before them that makes the students approach the table with such excitement.

The tower of appetisers pictured taking pride of place in the middle of the table is truly a sight to behold. The cook smiles to herself as our eyes are drawn to it, and explains its anatomy. The superstructure is an ordinary traffic cone – which, after all, is very easy to clean. The cladding is locally baked bread, which is then covered in aluminium foil. With the foundations set, the cone can then be studded with every kind of appetiser imaginable. There's enough room for around a hundred of them, despite the fact that the table seats far fewer.

"Drunk" birds drop dead in Tallinn

Close to 60 Bohemian waxwings - Northern European natives on their way to warmer regions - were found dead in Tallinn and its proximity over the weekend. The leading theory, according to the Estonian animal protection society: alcohol intoxication. 

The rowan tree's fruit, dogberry, serves as a snack for the waxwings, who on their migration path stop to refuel in Estonia. The fruit in its fermented state causes intoxication in the birds who fly against windows or other objects, and die as as a result, said a statement released by the animal protection society. Another possible cause for the deaths is a virus.

The Estonian Society for the Protection of Animals asks that any dead waxwings be reported to the Environmental Board's phone number, 1313.

 

First zoo-bred mink released into wild

The first of the European mink raised in captivity at Tallinn Zoo have been released into the wild on the island of Saaremaa.

The 10 animals are wearing transmitters so scientists can track them. The European mink is critically endangered in the wild.

Some of the species brought to Saaremaa in the past, such as wild pigs and deer, have started becoming a nuisance. But Tiit Maran, a Tallinn zoo official who runs the mink program, says that if the mink survive, they should not be a nuisance to humans.

Maran said Saaremaa farmers may be worried about the introduction of mink alongside the marten. "But compared to what Saaremaa's large marten population does, the problem is negligible," Maran said. It should also not pose a threat to crayfish populations, he said.

Hiiumaa has a similar experience of trying to maintain dwindling populations of European mink and a local resident interviewed by ETV, Gennadi Kotsur, said there was no problem. Complaints from farmers over damage have turned out to be caused by martens, not mink.

Maran says that populating the two islands will give a possibility for long-term preservation. "And if all goes according to the worst-case scenario as it seems right now, at some point there might be only two islands in the world where the animals survive," Maran said.

Tallinn closes streets to drivers without warning

Tallinn's Transport Department has pulled another fast one on drivers, this time unexpectedly closing off three streets in Old Town to cars.

Last Friday, commuters were surprised to find that access from Väike-Karja street to Pärnu maantee was blocked with pigeon-shaped concrete barriers, reported Postimees. Aia and Rataskaevu streets were also closed.

"When I drove to work in the morning, everything was normal and the street was open. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the concrete pigeons at the end of the street, when, at 17:30 in the evening, I was turning out of a courtyard at Väike-Karja 1. There was no information or warning,” Aime, who works in Old Town, told Postimees.

The woman telephoned Tallinn Municipal Police, which suggested she call the city's help line, which in turn told the woman that they had only been informed about the planned street closure in the morning.

Tallinn Transport Department said it had closed the street in response to numerous parking violations.

Estonian border guard gets a new pollution fight ship

The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PBB) will receive a new multifunctional ship in the second half of summer that will raise the pollution fight ability of the state from 1.8 to 2.4 square metres, Postimees Online reports.

The interior ministry announced in a letter to the economy and communications ministry that according to the HELCOM convention, Estonia has the obligation to have the ability to gather pollution on an area 4,.45 square meters big in 12 hours but the united ability of all Estonian state-owned fleet is now 1.8 square km. A multifunctional ship to be delivered to the PBB in the second half of summer should ease the situation and raise the ability to 2.4 square km. Earlier, the ship was to be delivered sometime in the autumn.

 The ministry's spokesman Mihkel Loide said that the ship is a diesel-electric ship that has very good manoeuvring, ice sailing and ice breaking abilities.

The ship will be acquired with the help of 28 million euros support of the European Regional Development Fund. The state contributes around 5 million euros.

 PBB has currently one ship capable of fighting pollution, PVL-202 Kati. Estonian Waterways Board also has two ships capable of fighting pollution, reported LETA.

Juhan Tere

Estonian foreign minister pushes sustainability

The Estonian foreign minister has stressed the importance of sustainable projects such as green investments in the future of Europe, as nations across the eurozone attempt to cut their carbon emissions.

"It is essential that we don't live beyond our means, particularly when it comes to using natural resources," Urmas Paet said.

He noted that by the year 2030 the world will need 50 per cent more food, 45 per cent more energy and 30 per cent more water, underlying the importance of investing in sustainable solutions such as biomass.

"Energy, industry, agriculture and transport must utilise more environmentally-friendly technologies," added Mr Paet.

Estonia has successfully shifted towards more green policies in recent years, laying out a blueprint for smaller European countries to follow, concluded the foreign minister.

A recent report from the Forestry Commission highlighted the potential of the industry to contribute to a sustainable economy in the UK and further afield.

Tallinn - Monte Carlo electric car rally

A Tesla Roadster is being charged during an electric car rally from Tallinn to Monte-Carlo in Pärnu June 1, 2012.

The rally will last for 10 days, during which electric cars will cross 10 countries and cover a distance of more than 3300 km (2050 miles).

According to Tesla, its Roadster is equipped with a 302 hp (225 kW) electric engine and can drive for more than 390 km (245 miles) per charge.

Reuters

Estonian green energy subsidies

Keit Pentus, the Estonian minister of environmental affairs, has decided to hire ‘Sorainen’ – one of Estonia’s most expensive law firms. This has been done in the hope to defend the current system of renewable energy subsidies, and help the country to meet green energy targets.

Last year, subsidies have been reported to be drying up in Europe, because wind and solar subsidies are too expensive to be viable, this has lead to some EU countries looking towards nuclear power as a less expensive alternative. Although, conversely, some green energy projects have proven to have a capital return of over 30%. A recent report in stated that Estonia’s government intends to reverse the pledge by economic Minister Juhan Parts to reduce support by keeping subsidies for renewable energy producers to meet current targets.

Tallinn to turn ninety green areas in residential districts into parking lots

City plans to turn 90 green areas in housing areas such as Mustamäe into parking lots, saying that this is the only way to stop motorists keeping their cars on grass, writes Eesti Päevaleht daily.

Deputy mayor of Tallinn Enha Võrk said that the preparations for converting green areas into parking lots will be started already this year, 2012.

By May 1, city planning department will calculate how many parking spaces the plan will finally create.

Before such calculations are made, it is not possible to estimate the final cost of the whole project, explained Võrk.

“It requires a lot of preparation because we need to consider in every individual case the location of existing infrastructure and networks, trees, children’s playgrounds, rainwater discharge systems, etc.,” said Võrk.

Forestry production set to increase in Estonia

In what will be good news for those planning Estonian forestry investments, a forest regeneration company has announced plans to almost double production and increase numbers.

Finnish-Estonian company AS Eesti Metsataim will invest €2.8 million to double production in the Baltic region with the State Forest Management Centre planning to increase its share capital of AS Eesti Metsataim by €600,000 to support the investment.

Currently, the Baltic region is one of the more prosperous areas for forestry investment in Europe. This is partly down to the increased investment in biomass technologies as the European Union seeks to create more energy from renewable sources.

This trend for increased investment could be set to continue if investments similar to this continue to take off in future.

According to ERR News, the plants will help to supply the Estonian state forests with ten per cent being sent to Fin Forelia OY in Finland.

Estonian yard to build windfarm catamarans for Sure Wind Marine

BLRT Marketex in Estonia and Sure Wind Marine Ltd in the UK have entered into contract to build four 19.5m windfarm service catamarans.

The catamarans will be available for projects throughout Europe and built to DNV class and dual UK MCA and German Stability rules to ensure full flexibility.

“This is first major contract for BLRT Marketex in windfarm service industry, which marks a new stage in development of our company. Our extensive experience in small vessels´ building gives us the strong confidence in success of this project. We strongly believe in potential of this growing industry and are proud to build boats in close cooperation with experienced operators and designers to achieve best performance,” said Vladislav Markin, head of BLRT Marketex's shipbuilding division.

Dominic Abraham, Managing Director of Northumberland-based Sure Wind Marine, said: “We are very pleased to be building vessels at such a well-equipped yard with an experienced team.

First social workers get keys to electric cars

Stenbock House – Minister of Social Affairs Hanno Pevkur handed over the keys to electric cars to five Tallinn social workers who will become the first to be able to use the Mitsubishi i-MiEV cars for their job.

It is planned to provide a total of 507 Mitsubishi i-MiEVs to municipalities and social workers at AS Hoolekandeteenused. The cars are specially customized for cold climates. In the first application round, the Ministry of Social Affairs received applications for 379 electric cars, while additional applications are expected from local governments for the remaining 128 cars.

“In the first round, all municipalities that put in an application received the desired number of cars,” said Merle Ploompuu, project manager with the finance and property management department of the Ministry of Social Affairs.

“A number of local governments initially expressed the desire for only one car, adding that they plan to take part in the second application round as well. We believe that all 507 cars will have found a user by spring.”

The first 50 Mitsubishi i-MiEV cars will be in users’ hands this year already, while the remaining 457 will arrive next spring and summer.

Be aware of neighboring nuclear plants : IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency has wound up a ten-day evaluation of Estonia's preparedness for radiation-related emergencies. One recommendation: greater awareness of dangers from plants in neighboring countries.

The group of experts invited to Estonia to examine legislation and visit government authorities said Estonian agencies have broad-based knowledge and are prepared to cooperate in improving the national system.

The IAEA experts recommended that emergency resolution resources be supplemented, with more emphasis placed on hazards from neighboring countries.

And, it said, national preparations should be more uniform with international standards to facilitate potential international cooperation.

The closest nuclear power plant to Estonia is Russia's Sosnovy Bor, halfway between St. Petersburg and Narva, which has two RMBK reactors set to be replaced with new ones before 2020. Finland has two nuclear plants as well at a slightly greater distance.

A comprehensive report will be drawn up by the end of October, giving an overview of the roles of different agencies in resolving emergencies.

Kristopher Rikken

Tallinn Zoo celebrated its 72nd birthday

On Thursday the Tallinn Zoo celebrated its 72nd birthday and reported that its list of animals will increase by two rare fishing cats, writes LETA/National Broadcasting.

Press spokesperson of the zoo, Inari Leiman, stated that the male fishing cat named Otto has already arrived in Tallinn. “He arrived from England a couple of weeks ago, but his mate is still to arrive,” he noted.

On Thursday, BBC reported that Otto was sent to Estonia from the Newquay Zoo. Leiman did not know, from which country would the female fishing cat be sent to Tallinn. He said that he hoped that after the mate were found, the animals would be well-suited. “The objective is for them to have offspring,” Leiman explained.

Leiman said that the Tallinn Zoo has had previously fishing cats in its collection, but as there were no successful attempts to find them mates, the last one died without bearing any offspring.

Fishing cats who originate from Asia are an endangered species and hence experts note that it is very important for zoos to be able to form couples that bear offspring.

Estonian animal protection group fights for snakes' rights over golf course

The Estonian Society for the Protection of Animals and a group of serpentologists have slammed plans to build a golf course in Estonia's capital as it may threaten the lives of vipers and grass snakes.

Tallinn authorities announced plans to build a golf course on the outskirts of the capital at Paaskula swamp. The animals protection group and serpentologists say the construction would destroy the swamp's ecosystem and harm the animals living in that environment.

The specialists said the project may also endanger frogs and lizards, as well as some rare plants.

"The Tallinn authorities in making the decision to build in the snakes' 'home,' have sentenced them [the snakes] to death," Heiki Valner from the animals protection group said, adding that the snakes would find a new home in the gardens of city residents and sooner or later would be killed.

Serpentologist Kadri Vyrel said snakes, including venomous ones, would in the future consider the golf course their new home and conflicts between reptiles and humans would be unavoidable.

RIA Novosti

Swimming in Kuressaare off limits

Swimming around the capital of the country's largest island has been red-flagged for the rest of the summer even with warmer weather on the way.

Concentrations of bacteria 30 times in excess of the legal limit have been found in the water near Kuressaare.

The irony was not lost for participants in a safety day event held in Saaremaa's capital on August 14. ETV reported warning signs were out and red flags were flying.

Yet lifeguards had to go into the water anyway to demonstrate their lifesaving skills as part of the pre-planned event

Kuressaare city doctor Jüri Zabellevitsh, who has been monitoring the condition of the bathing water, said the first signs of hazard emerged in late July.

He said tests were conducted for two fecal coliform bacteria, which they found. The source is the nearby Põduste River, and as the exact origin could not be found within city limits, the Environmental Inspectorate, a national authority, will start investigating along the entire length of the river on August 15. 

Zabellevitsh said the bacteria could be of human or animal origin.

It is not believed that the current conditions will be chronic, as seasonal winds can quickly change pollution patterns.

Kristopher Rikken