Energy Administration and Institutions
Public administration
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications
The Ministry of Economic Affairs through its Department of Energy, is responsible for energy policy. The Ministry of Economy participates also in climate change mitigation work, for example in working out the Joint Implementation handbook for the Baltic Sea Region.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications is participant in the Baltic Sea Region Energy Cooperation (BASREC).
Ministry of the Environment
The Ministry of the Environment coordinates international relations in environmental matters.
Estonian Competition Authority
The Estonian Competition Authority regulates the energy sector and reports to the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Authority was formed in January 2008 through the merger of the Energy Market Inspectorate, the Competition Board and the National Communications Board.
Energy related organisations
Estonian Energy Research Institute
The Estonian Energy Research Institute is, since 2002, an institution of Tallinn Polytechnical University. It is, in a line of several institutions with different names, the successor of the “Institute of National Resources” founded in 1937.
Its main field of research are the permanent analysis of the Estonian fuel and energy sector, participation in working out development plans for the fuel and energy sector, development and upgrading of environmentally friendly efficient combustion methods and equipment for burning oil shale and other solid fuels, etc.
The Estonian Energy Research Institute is hosting the Tallinn office of OPET Estonia.
The Estonian Energy Research Institute is also the Estonian partner in the GreenLight Programme.
Estonian Biomass Association
The Estonian Biomass Association (EBA) is a nonprofit organisation founded in 1998. It is a voluntary union of its members.
EBA is engaged in renewable fuels research, resources estimation, sustainable development of renewable types of energy and promotion of the use of environmentally friendly fuels at both the state and individual level.
The Estonian Biomass Association is a member of the European Biomass Association, (AEBIOM).
Estonian Wind Power Association
The Estonian Wind Power Association is member of the European Wind Energy Association.
Its goals are, to provide a common voice for the wind power developers and related organisations in Estonia, to provide a platform for joint activities, to promote wind energy in Estonia and thereby contribute to the main objectives of energy policy in Estonia and Europe, and to the security of energy supply through wider use of renewable energy, etc.
REC Estonia: Regional Energy Centres in Estonia
Regional Energy Centres, an EU Phare project that was commissioned by the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs in 1996, was aimed at supporting local governments in implementing energy projects.
Among its services are: Preparation of Development Plans, Energy Sector Consultation, International Co-operation, Implementation of Environmental Protection Projects, etc.
Archimedes Foundation
Archimedes Foundation is an independent body established by the Estonian government in 1997 with the objective to coordinate and implement different international and national programmes and projects in the field of training, education, research, technological development and innovation.
Archimedes Foundation Implementing Agency of Structural Support is accredited as an implementing agency for the programming period of 2007-2013 by the Government of the Republic. The main tasks of the Structural Support Unit are to assess project applications in the area of R&D, to consult applicants, to make outpayments and check the eligibility of costs.
Through programming period 2007-2013 Archimedes Foundation acts as an implementing agency for:
* Operational Programme for the Development of the Economic Environment. Priority axe for Improving the competitiveness of Estonian R&D through the research programmes and modernisation of higher education and R&D institutions.
* Operational Programme for Human Resource Development Priority axe for Developing the Human Resource for R&D.
During the period of 2007-2013 Estonia can use funds in the amount of EEK 53.3 billion. The total volume of support for the above mentioned Operational Programmes priority axes is nearly EEK 8,6 billion.
Furthermore, Archimedes Foundation is currently project partner in the IEE project 'Collaborative Actions for Triggering Investments in Sustainable Energy Actions using Structural and Cohesion Funds' (2010-2012).
