Estonian state officials are trying to make sense of the European Commission's energy crisis proposals from a week ago. There is plenty of confusion from taxing shale oil producers to the question of whether a majority will suffice in place of consensus.
Due to Russia's war in Ukraine, the gas shortage in the region, and the availability of shale oil in Estonia, it is possible to replace nearly a terawatt-hour (TWh) of gas with shale oil in the district heating sector this winter. This will reduce Estonia's district heating gas consumption by about one-third.
Growing demand for oil shale as a controllable source of power has sent Eesti Energia hiring to replenish its oil shale reserves. Demand for shale oil and oil shale chemistry products is driving the industry.
Health minister Tanel Kiik (Center) has rejected calls from industry lobbyists to shorten coronavirus quarantine periods for what they refer to as key workers in sectors such as the food industry or the energy sector, citing, among other factors, relatively low levels of Covid vaccination coverage compared with many other European states.