Written by Marko Viiding (Co-Founder and Country Manager, Estonia, Vindr)
Energy security has become one of the defining challenges of our time. For Europe, it is not just about keeping the lights on, but doing so in a way that is reliable, affordable, and sustainable.
Recent years have shown the risks behind imported fossil fuels. Dependence on outside suppliers can leave nations vulnerable to sudden and unpredictable disruptions. A broken cable, a political crisis, or a sudden price surge can quickly destabilise the economy.
For Estonia, energy independence is not optional – it is essential. A single cable failure or interrupted connection can send prices soaring and raise doubts about supply. When the EstLink 2 cable was damaged, it cost Estonian consumers around €39 million in elevated electricity prices alone, let alone shaken-up confidence levels. This is a clear reminder of how fragile external dependence can be. To ensure security, we need to produce more energy at home – and produce it from sources that are clean, renewable, and reliable.
Wind as the backbone of resilience
People may have different tactics for coping with uncertainty. Instead of centralized power generation units or technologies that require constant logistics to deliver them fuel to burn, wind energy is a relatively straightforward piece of kit, in a “set up and relax” Greek amphitheater kind of way. Once you build one, you can power 5000-8000 average Estonian homes for the better part of the year, especially during windy winter months when the power is most needed. The more electricity we generate from our own wind farms, the less exposed are we also to imported gas and oil. Every megawatt produced locally strengthens our security and shields us from global market volatility.
When wind is combined with solar power, storage and other flexible solutions, we create a diverse energy mix that is far harder to disrupt. Technologies that are cross-compatible and that reinforce each other deployed across different regions mean that no single failure – whether technical or intentional – can bring the system down.
Lessons from Europe
Europe already has inspiring examples. Denmark, Austria, and Latvia produce more than 90% of their electricity from renewables, proving that smaller states can achieve real security by investing in wind, solar, and other clean solutions. Countries like Belgium and Luxembourg have shown how quickly renewable shares can grow when political will and investment align.
More than just energy – an economic opportunity
Beyond security, local renewable production is also a major economic opportunity. Wind farms are more than power plants, renewables bring in foreign investments and keep value within our own economies. They bring upgraded infrastructure and growth opportunities for local businesses, and help lower electricity costs.
At the same time, reducing reliance on fossil fuels cuts down the environmental damage caused by extraction. Many of the world’s best reserves have already been depleted, leaving behind harder to reach sources, that are more costly and polluting to exploit. Renewables don’t need fuel, they just harness the power nature’s already providing us.
The way forward
The lesson is clear: in times of uncertainty, every megawatt of clean energy we produce independently makes us stronger. Wind power is not just about the environment – it is about freedom, resilience, and stability.
That is why at Impact Day, I look forward to discussing a key question for Europe: Can sustainable energy reduce dependence on gas and oil? I believe the answer is yes – if we act boldly, remove barriers from the development of renewables, and see that energy security and sustainability go hand in hand.
👉 Join the discussion at Impact Day!
On Thursday, October 8th at 17:10, head to the Impact Stage for the panel talk: “Will renewables increase energy security and bring down prices?” featuring Marko Viiding and other leading experts in the field.
Early bird tickets are available now.
Impact Day is brought to you with an ultimately strong impact community, just look at this list:
CO-ORGANIZERS
SEB Estonia • Kestlike Ettevõtete Liit • Lindström • Elisa Eesti • TalTech • Lidl • Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies • Brande Oy • Vilnius 2025 – European Green Capital • EIT Urban Mobility
SUPPORTED BY
City of Tallinn • Visit Estonia • The European Social Innovation Alliance • Social Innovation Initiative • European Union
PARTNERS
Helmes • CleanR Grupa • Vindr Baltic • ComDecor • The Circular Coffee Break • Gold Security Group • Space • BioBoosters Network • EIS • Tele2 • EIT Food • Eesti Turbaliit • WISE • ABB • Vestman • PARE • StartUp Estonia • Swedbank Estonia • Ülemiste Centre
