Last year, thirteen projects co-financed from EU direct environmental aid were completed: six projects that supported renewable energy, three projects on closing non-complying landfills, three projects on water management and one project on nature protection. In addition, 103 new projects supporting environmental improvement were funded in 2010 through several application rounds, the results of which we will be able to see in a few years’ time. According to the Minister of the Environment Jaanus Tamkivi, he is glad to see that the use of EU support has taken off and, according to today's forecasts, Estonia is capable of using all of the resources allocated. “In 2010, we selected and implemented the projects; the recession that took place a few years ago can still be felt in the implementation of the projects, but the success we have made gives us hope that we can use all of the support allocated to us,“ Tamkivi explained. The most voluminous and longest of the projects that ended last year was the reconstruction project of Kohtla-Järve regional sewage treatment system that was supported by the Cohesion Fund with almost EUR 34 million (EUR 532 million); the duration of the project was 7 years. “I am glad that several large and voluminous, multi-annual projects were completed last year. In addition to these, a water management project that was started in 2008 was completed, as a result of which the people of Otepää received renewed sewerage and drinking water systems, and all residents had an opportunity to connect to these systems,” Tamkivi added. In 2010, environment preservation projects were funded from both the resources of the periods of 2004–2006 and 2007–2013. Out of 21 infrastructure development projects that were funded in the period of 2004–2006, 19 were completed by the end of 2010; completion of two other projects will remain for the first half of 2011. By now, EUR 208 million (EEK 3.3 billion) have been paid out from the Cohesion Fund for 2004–2006, accounting for almost 97% of all of the support allocated. “From the funds allocated from the European Regional Development Fund for environment conservation support in the period of 2004–2006, we managed to successfully use 99%. If the Viimsi and Emajõe-Võhandu water management projects are completed this year, we can also use the Coherence Fund support in full extent,” Minister Tamkivi explained. From the EU support for the period of 2007–2013, financing decisions have been made in the field of environmental preservation in the amount of EUR 473 million (EEK 7.4 billion), which is 73% of the total amount. In total, Estonia has available for use almost EUR 639 million (EEK 10 billion) for improving management of the environment in this period. |
