Estonia National Opera led state aid recipients last year

Estonia National Opera received the largest amount of state aid among Estonian businesses and institutions last year, with 11 million euros for cultural development, ERR reported.

Estonian businesses received a total of 472.6 million euros in state aid and de minimis aid. The Ida-Viru Investment Agency received 10 million euros for local infrastructure, while the Estonian Museum of Art received 9.9 million euros to promote culture and preserve cultural heritage.

Other major cultural aid recipients included Rakvere city government, which received 9.3 million euros, Vanemuine Theatre with 9.2 million euros and the Estonian National Museum with 8.6 million euros.

Enefit Wind received the largest amount of operating aid for producing energy from renewable sources, at 8.5 million euros. Utilitas Tallinn Power Plant and Aidu Infra each received 7.9 million euros.

Loodusspaahotell OÜ, which built a spa near Lake Peipsi, received 7 million euros in regional investment aid. Eesti Kontsert received 5.7 million euros for cultural development, while the Estonian Maritime Museum received 5 million euros. Imavere Energia received 4 million euros in operating aid for renewable energy production.

Corle OÜ received 3.6 million euros for broadband fixed networks, and the Tehvandi Sports Centre foundation received the same amount in operating aid for sports infrastructure.

Agricultural state aid is not included in the state aid register, but significant sums were also paid to cover costs and damage caused by animal disease control measures. Maag Agro’s Ekseko farm received the most, at 6.3 million euros, followed by Atria farms with 1.5 million euros and Saimre Seakasvatus OÜ with 900,000 euros.

The state also provided 4.1 million euros in crisis aid through measures introduced to support businesses during the Covid-19 outbreak and in connection with Russia’s attack on Ukraine. No Covid-related state aid payments were made last year, but payments under Ukraine-related crisis aid measures were made by PRIA and the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency.

Among PRIA’s measures, Rõngu Mahl received 22,700 euros and Estover Dairy Industry received 51,900 euros to strengthen the food industry’s energy security. The Estonian Business and Innovation Agency paid companies 1.4 million euros in investment support for energy security, of which Ardor OÜ received the largest share, 400,000 euros. A further 2.6 million euros was paid under an extension of the measure, with Ebavere Graanul OÜ receiving the most, at 500,000 euros.

In the European Union, state aid is defined as assistance directed at certain businesses or the production of specific goods that gives recipients an advantage and may harm competition.