At the beginning of April, Sunly Community Day took place at Kai Art Center, where we gathered to explore how renewable energy can genuinely benefit local communities. Just as importantly, we focused on the need to openly and honestly discuss its impacts and the common misconceptions that surround it. The day brought together a wide range of perspectives, questions, and experiences. At the end of the program, participants visited Flo Kasearu’s exhibition BANANA – Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone.

In the opening remarks, Klaus-Erik Pilar, Sunly’s Country Manager for Estonia, provided an update of Sunly Estonia’s activities, overview of the current state of wind energy development in Estonia and outlined what lies ahead. The discussion also covered how renewable energy could offer real, tangible benefits for people—such as lower electricity prices—and the role of storage technologies in achieving that.

During the panel titled "How to understand what communities really think?", with speakers Kaido Keerma, data analytic from SALK, Keiu Telve, anthropologist from the Center of Anthropology and moderator Anna Lindpere, it became clear that while public opposition can be vocal, most people support renewable energy. This support tends to grow when communities are engaged early and meaningfully, and when the benefits are clear and personal. Rebuilding trust takes transparency and genuine dialogue. Communities want to be active participants in decision-making, not just passive observers.

Furthermore, environmental expert Piret Toonpere explained how an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is combined, who combines it and how it comes to life. She emphasized that the goal is not to assess every possible effect but to focus on the most relevant ones that support informed decision-making.

In the discussion on the “Environmental and health impacts of wind farms”, participants noise expert Marko Ründva from Kajaja Acoustics, environmental health specialist Triin Veber from University of Tartu, ornithologist Renno Nellis, environmental expert Piret Toonpere from Lemma OÜ and a leading specialist in planning for Valga Municipality Lenna Hingla, with Marko Pomerants moderating, pointed out that many conflicts originate from vague planning guidelines and poorly chosen locations. On a positive note, cooperation between national and local authorities is improving, which creates better conditions for balanced outcomes. The discussion also highlighted that early and consistent communication with communities can help avoid tension and build mutual understanding. Regarding health impacts, while no direct link has been found between wind turbine noise and disease, ongoing noise exposure can disrupt sleep and cause stress.

The day concluded with a workshop by Sunly Retail, where participants took a closer look at electricity bills. It turned out that nearly half of the charges come from taxes and network fees, not the energy itself. The session also covered how to make more informed choices when it comes to renewable energy and introduced Sunly’s consumer offerings.

We also encourage everyone to visit Flo Kasearu’s exhibition BANANA – Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone. The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on development, local values, property rights, and public participation, both in cities and rural areas. It’s open at Kai Art Center until August 3rd.