BONJOUR L'ESTONIE

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

Diverse fauna thrives in Green Tallinn

Despite its population of 400,000 Homo sapiens, Tallinn is very species-diverse, according to a paper by the Estonian Institute for Sustainable Development that surveys 30 years' worth of studies on the city's fauna.

The Paljassaare bird sanctuary on an isolated peninsula is perhaps the pride and joy, 81 species of protected birds represented. 

The paper is by the institute's project manager Meelis Uustal, who found among other things that there is no consistent monitoring.

"Certainly studies must be conducted as the data gained in the course of the studies help the city government and regional environmental authority make better decisions in planning and giving out permits," Uustal told ETV.

The data he gathered held surprises in store. Kadriorg Park has plentiful bat populations and Tallinn is home to a population of the natterjack toad, which is threatened by habitat loss across Europe.

"One of the most exciting areas studied is eastern Tallinn - Suur-Sõjamäe and Väo - which still looks like brownfield and vacant lots. Actually this signals that the area could be very species-rich," said Uustal.

Kristopher Rikken

Green-focused Europe to drive offshore wind growth on the Baltics

Almost 3,000 MW of offshore wind energy capacity were brought on stream in Europe, particularly in the North Sea, in the last decade, while the Baltic offshore wind power sites have just begun taking shape.

Baltic trio, Finland on their way to harnessing offshore winds

The potential of wind power along the coastal areas of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are similar to some of the sites in Germany and Denmark, but the resources have been untapped so far. The situation may change soon, as Estonian state-owned power company Eesti Energia has revealed plans to build its first offshore wind park in the Gulf of Riga with a potential capacity of 600 MW. The Gulf of Riga wind project would arise in stages, with the first 150 MW currently scheduled to be installed by 2015.

Another, 38-wind turbine park with combined capacity of 190 MW, is being planned by Neugrund on the Neugrund Reef off Estonia's northwestern coast. In addition, Tallinn-based Nelja Energia, or 4Energia, is working on the 700 MW Hiiumaa offshore wind park, which will comprise 200 wind turbines with a capacity of 3-5 MW each.

Estonians want to make 300 million people collect garbage

After his successful Let’s Do it campaign in Estonia, Rainer Nõlvak has come up with a plan to organize similar campaign globally for cleaning the world from more than 100 million tons of illegal garbage, writes Eesti Päevaleht daily.

Organizers of the campaign called Let’s Do it World 2012 estimate that in order to be successful, about 300 million people need to participate in it.

Our role is to inspire and bring people together, says Nõlvak modestly and adds that they proceed country by country.

In addition to Estonia, similar campaigns were held last year in Latvia (310,000 participants), Lithuania (270,000), Slovenia (270,000 people), Serbia (200,000), Romania (200,000), Portugal (100,000), India (50,000) and Ukraine (1,680).

The campaign website is www.letsdoitworld.org and it has a fan page in Facebook.
Organizers say they need 1.1 million euros to make it happen and are now looking for five international partners. The Estonian government has allocated a grant of 64,000 euros and other supporters are also Estonian Air, EMT and ministry of foreign affairs.

Toomas Hõbemägi

Stolen pollution quota were found on foreigners’ accounts in Estonia

Pollution quota units that were stolen from the pollution quota registries of other states were found on accounts in Estonia that do not belong to Estonian companies or private individuals, LETA/Äripäev.ee reports.

Estonian Environment Ministry climate and radiation department acting head Meelis Münt said that there are around a hundred accounts in the Estonian registry: around 50 accounts of large industrial companies and around 50 persons. The state account, where the state’s allowed pollution quota units are kept, is separate.

In January, the European Commission interfered in the quota business since around 2 million pollution quota units disappeared from Czech, Austrian and Greek registries after hacking. A part of the missing units mysteriously ended up on accounts in the Estonian registry.

Currently Estonia is compiling a report on the security of our registry; once that is approved, the sales-purchase trade of the units, that the Commission suspended, can be re-launched again.

Münt said that the reasons for what happened are still being investigated. “A part of the illegally transferred units are in the Estonian registry, on accounts that do not belong to Estonian corporate or private individuals. Further activities will be decided upon by law enforcement organs of member states,” he said.

Juhan Tere

Commission urges Estonia to comply with EU legislation

The European Commission is taking Estonia to the European Court of Justice for its incomplete transposition of a law designed to prevent industrial pollution. On the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, the Commission is referring Estonia to the Court and sending Ireland a reasoned opinion. Estonia has two months to respond.

The infringements concern the EU Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), which aims to prevent and control industrial emissions to air, water, and soil.

Under European law, industrial and agricultural activities with a high pollution potential must be licensed. The Directive required Member States by 30 October 2007 to issue new permits or reconsider and – where necessary – update existing permits for all industrial installations that were in operation before 30 October 1999.

The Commission has had concerns about the transposition of the IPPC Directive in Estonia for several years, and a failure to amend domestic law is now leading to a Court appearance for Estonia.

EU criticizes Estonia’s quota business

Officials and politicians fighting against global warming criticise the business with warm air or AAU quota by new member states of the EU, saying that this increases greenhouse gas emissions in the world, LETA/Postimees writes.

European Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard proposes that no new AAUs be distributed to states in the next period that starts in 2013.

“We are ready to give up AAUs on certain conditions i.e. via a negotiable compensation mechanism,” said Estonian environment ministry canceller Allan Gromov. “The European Commission has proposed options for this but it is too soon to talk about those.”

Estonian government discovered the AAU or warm air quota last year when it was desperately searching for sources of income for the state budget.

The Estonian government will sell this and next year a total of around 2.2 billion kroons worth of AAU. This money enables the government to declare that the state budget deficit continues to be one of the lowest in the EU. Also, schools that will be renovated with the funds from selling the quota have already been chosen. The economy ministry is preparing a contest for wind energy park developers and purchase of environment-friendly buses has been talked about.

Highway construction draws environmentalist attention

Environmentalists expressed concern over construction on the Tallinn-Tartu motorway because the new four-lane road would impinge internationally recognized conservation areas.

In the Puurmani region, the current project offers a choice between bad and worse -- cutting the Altnurga village in two and leveling a family home, or bulldozing through the Alam-Pedja nature conservation area's protected floodplains. Environmentalists consider the latter inconceivable, wrote Eesti Päevaleht.

"It would be unthinkable to build a motorway through a conservation area that includes the habitats of several bird species of European importance," said Helen Toom, the Environmental Board's Jõgeva-Tartu district conservation planning expert.

In addition to the floodplains, the road construction would have implications for endangered species like the corn crake and great snipe.

Pärnu to host European Ecotourism cconference

The first European ecotourism conference, EuroEco 2010, will be held in Pärnu from September 26 to 30.

This year’s conference, under the headline “Balancing Sustainability and Profitability,” will bring together 200 experts and green tourism enthusiasts from 27 countries in Europe and elsewhere.

Communications Director of the International Ecoturism Society Ayako Ezaki expressed hope that the conference will inaugurate a tradition of annual gatherings of experts, business leaders and stakeholders to encourage dialogue about the current state of ecotourism, its development and future challenges.

The recreational program for the delegates will include various eco-tours, such as sea-kayaking on the Bay of Pärnu, a wilderness trip to Soomaa National Park and bird watching on the Baltic shores.

BiotaP opens a lab for environment monitoring in Tallinn

A portfolio enterprise of Estonia's Development Fund, BiotaP opened in Tallinn an experimental lab for metagenomic analysis, which in Europe is an unique research center of environment monitoring; Estonia's Development Fund states. The development of the lab is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

The metagenomical analyses educed by BiotaP OÜ permit to make quick and simple evaluation of the 'health' of and the change in the environment. The basis of the analysis is the multiplicity of micro organisms and multidtude of the micro-biomic species in the soil, informs LETA.

A Member of BiotaP OÜ board, Sirli Sipp Kull said, that the work will be done with new type of DNA seqvenator, which is first such in North and East Europe and purveyed by Roche branch office in Lithuania.

"The equipment makes it easy and handy to determine for instance whole genome of one bacteria in just on day, making the modern molecular biology into 'everyone's science'," Sipp Kulli explained.

Ansip does not support Eesti Energia’s wind park in Gulf of Riga

Prime Minister Andrus Ansip stated on Thursday that he was rather certain that Eesti Energia would not get the Government’s approval to establish nearly 300 wind energy generators in the vicinity of the islands of Kihnu and Ruhnu in the Gulf of Riga, writes LETA/EPL Online.

“I certainly do not consider it reasonable to reserve 100 square kilometres of our waters to a private enterprise,” asserted Ansip at the Government press conference. “Companies should not be granted special rights in the State waters simply upon a request like that,” he added.

The Prime Minister explained that one of the issues concern the volume of the territory and another matter is whether it would be right to reserve the sea areas for an enterprise in the context of the position that Estonia would not require quite as many wind generators as are planned. “I presume that there would not be any agreements to this application from the Government next week,” he stated.

Ansip noted that the planned capacities of all designed wind parks that are in development would far exceed the needs of Estonia. “It seems that the subsidies level has been set too high; investors are exceedingly interested in wind parks while residents are not so much interested in them,” said the Prime Minster.

Estonian Government approves the sale of AAUs to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

At its session today the Government of the Republic approved the sale of Estonia’s unused emission rights or Assigned Amount Units (AAUs) to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Under a Green Investment Scheme (GIS), the proceeds totaling 30 mil EUR will be invested into energy efficiency improvement of apartment houses.

According to energy audits and studies up to 50% of energy consumed in old apartment buildings in Estonia could be saved with thermal insulation, replacement of windows, reconstruction of heating systems, complex renovation and other means. Thus the potential for energy saving and thus CO2 reduction is immense. The GIS measure will enable to cover up to 35% of the cost of renovation depending on the amount of energy savings achieved. The application round for housing associations will be opened already this month by the Credit and Export Guarantee Fund, KredEx.

With the entry into force of this transaction Estonia has sold AAUs under GIS of the value over 100 million Euros. The earlier transactions have been concluded with Austria, Spain and Japanese bank SMBC.

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