Regional Biogas Development Strategy and Action Plan - Tartu

3.2. Energy policies of Estonia
This chapter describes the most important development programs, and laws governing the
Estonian energy sector, renewable energy, including biogas production.
Sustainable development strategy “Sustainable Estonia 21”
Sustainable Estonia 21 is a strategy for developing the Estonian state and society up to 2030.
The strategy establishes an overall framework for the integration of the social, economic and
environmental spheres in the long-term development of society and defines moving towards the
so-called knowledge society as the general development trend of Estonia. The strategy specifies
the following long-term development objectives: vitality of the Estonian cultural space (survival
of ethnic traditions), an increase in wellbeing, a coherent society (without acute social conflicts),
and ecological balance 17 .
Development Plan of the Estonian Electricity Sector until 2018 sets the strategic objectives
for the development of the electricity sector within ten years by describing the objectives and the
measures for the achievement thereof with regard to ensuring power supply, reduction of the
burden on the environment, creation of international energy links, opening of the electricity
market and increase of electricity consumption. The same objectives are of significant
importance also in this Development Plan of the Energy Sector 18 .
Estonian Environmental Strategy until the year 2030 19 The objective of the “Estonian
Environmental Strategy until the year 2030” is to define long-term development trends in
keeping the natural environment in good state, at the same time taking into account connections
between the sphere of environment and the economic and social sphere, as well as their influence
on the surrounding natural environment and people.
One of the objectives of the National Environmental Action Plan of Estonia for 2007–2013
(operational programme of Estonian Environmental Strategy until 2030) is to slow down and
stabilise the consumption of energy, while ensuring that the needs of people are met, i.e. to
ensure the preservation of the volume of primary energy while consumption grows 20 .
The National Strategic Reference Framework for the EU Structural Funds for 2007-2013
establishes an objective to use energy more efficiently which would enable to prevent potential
shortage of energy in future and thus provide international competitive and security advantages
for the state in the longer run. According to the implementation plan for the development of
housing the following areas shall be supported within the framework of the priority axis of the
development of the energy sector: 1) more extensive use of renewable energy sources; 2) use of
alternative energy sources in transport; 3) ambient air protection and mitigation of climate
changes; 4) development of energy conservation in housing (including informing the residents of
the possibilities of energy conservation in residential buildings). The development trends
provided for in the strategy are also reflected in the measures of the Development Plan of the
Energy Sector for diversification of energy supplies 21 .
17
Sustainable development strategy “Sustainable Estonia 21” https://www.riigiteataja.ee/ert/act.jsp?id=940717
18
Estonian Environmental Strategy until the year 2030 http://www.envir.ee/1045989
19
Ibid.
20
National Environmental Action Plan of Estonia for 2007–2013 http://www.envir.ee/1045989
21
The National Strategic Reference Framework for the EU Structural Funds for 2007-2013
https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/13315839
18