Arvi Hamburg: Estonia should use oil shale for electricity for about 12 more years

In the Postimees opinion show 'Põhimõtted ja riik', energy expert Arvi Hamburg argues that oil shale should continue to be used for electricity production in Estonia for approximately 12 more years. The discussion is part of a regular series exploring how to improve Estonian state governance. Opinion pieces on the same topic are published weekly in Postimees.

Energy expert Arvi Hamburg has argued that Estonia should continue using oil shale for electricity production for roughly another 12 years, according to a discussion on the Postimees opinion web show Põhimõtted ja riik.

The show, produced by Postimees opinion editors and Postimees TV, features weekly conversations between host Veiko Lukmann and authors of reports from the Põhimõtte Koda (Principle Chamber) think tank. The programme focuses on ways to improve governance and state management in Estonia.

Hamburg's position reflects an ongoing debate in Estonia about the future of oil shale, a resource that has historically been central to the country's energy independence, but which faces increasing pressure from environmental and climate policy concerns. The question of how long oil shale should remain part of the electricity mix is one of the most contested in Estonian energy policy.

The discussion is accompanied by written opinion pieces published every Wednesday in Postimees under the same Põhimõtted ja riik focus section, offering readers both video and text formats to engage with the topic.