National renewable energy policy – results and challenges

Estonia

19.02.2013

Madis Laaniste, Energy Department

Targets of renewable energy policy• national long-term energy strategy

(Parliament 2009)– target for renewables – 25% from gross final

energy consumption in 2020– target for transport – 10% from renewables

in 2020

Total share of RES

Total share of RES in transport

The role of RE

• The share of renewable energy in Total Primary Energy Supply is 15%, ca 60% of the primary energy supply comes from oil shale

• Bioenergy has the biggest share in RE – ca 85%, 15% are coming from other resources (mainly wind, installed capacity ca 200 MW)

Main measures to promote energy generation from RES• Premium tariff support scheme for RES-E

– large biomass CHPs– co-firing of biomass in oil shale power plants– wind energy

• Investment support schemes for RES-E and RES-H– for installation of wind energy capacities (22 MW);– for small CHPs (biogas, biomass) and boilerhouses

using fossil fuels

Issues around RE and regional development• Noticeable share of energy costs that

consumers pay, go to RE producers – little acceptance to go beyond adopted RE targets

• Rural regions lose their competitive advantages, partly due to higher energy costs than in urban areas

• New development options can be created, if agricultural waste and residues will be taken into use in biogas production with a view to achieve the RE target in transport sector

The actions by the government

• Reduce energy costs through optimisation of heat supply– upgrade existing DH systems if its economically

justified– solutions based on RE are preferred– improve energy efficiency, particularly in residential

and public buildings

The actions by the government

• Setting up a programme for biogas use in transport sector– Set up biogas production infrastructure– Discussion, how to promote fleet increase: subsidy

for car purchase or excise policy favouring natural gas or biogas use in transport sector

– Support relevant R&D activities

Thank you!