OREANDA-NEWS. May 12, 2014. A contemporary oil industry is very important for Estonia’s own raw resources, Prime Minister Taavi Roivas said on a visit to the new oil plant of Eesti Energia.

The Enefit280 plant, located in Auvere in Ida-Virumaa County, produces electricity from semi-coke. On Tuesday, the prime minister was shown around the plant, ETV reported.

Roivas said he hoped the plant will be working on a permanent basis, which would enable a greater value generated from a ton of oil shale than with the usual burning method.

This means Estonia will have to defend its interests in the European Commission, which does not consider oil shale environmentally friendly.

Roivas said Estonia should continue with oil shale production without disregarding the environmental aspect, adding that oil shale energy must be thoroughly researched before deciding on further plans for this sector of the economy.