Renewable energy in Finland increased from 34% of the total final energy consumption (TFEC) in 2011 to 48% by the end of 2021, primarily driven by bioenergy (38%), hydroelectric power (6.1%), and wind energy (3.3%). In 2021, renewables covered 53% of heating and cooling, 39% of electricity generation, and 20% of the transport sector. By 2020, this growth positioned Finland as having the third highest share of renewables in TFEC among International Energy Agency (IEA) member countries. In 2020, Finland's share of renewables in gross final energy consumption reached 44.6%, surpassing the target of 38%. This excess enabled Finland to sell statistical transfers of renewable energy to EU member states not meeting their 2020 targets. In March 2021, Finland agreed to a transaction with Belgium, selling 1,376.5 GWh of renewable energy for EUR 18.6 million. After this sale, Finland's renewable energy share in gross final consumption was reported at 43.8%, still above the 2020 goal. Finland's climate strategy, aimed at carbon neutrality by 2035, focuses on increasing energy efficiency and advancing technological innovations, especially in sustainable hydrogen solutions for heavy transport and industry. According to data from 2021, Finland's energy supply was less dependent on fossil fuels compared to many other countries, with only 36% coming from these sources, significantly lower than the International Energy Agency's average of 70%. The emphasis in Finland's energy mix has been on renewable sources like biomass, hydro, and wind power. These measures are part of Finland's efforts to decrease energy intensity and improve energy security.
Renewable energy growth and targets According to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) 2023 Energy Policy Review, Finland saw a notable increase in its total final energy consumption (TFEC) from renewable sources, growing from 34% to 48% between 2011 and 2021. This increase was driven by a growth in bioenergy from 29% to 38% of TFEC, hydroelectric power from 4.7% to 6.1%, and wind energy from 0.2% to 3.3%. By 2020, Finland's share of renewables in TFEC ranked third highest among the 31 IEA member countries. In 2021, renewable energy accounted for 43% overall, 39% in electricity, 53% in heating and cooling, and 20% in transport. For 2030, renewable energy targets have been set at 51% overall, with specific aims of 53% in electricity, 61% in heating and cooling, and 45% in transport.
Energy in Finland Finland differs from most industrialized countries in that many of its energy needs stem from the Nordic conditions. Finland is located between 60 and 70 degrees northern latitude and a quarter of its area lies north of the Arctic Circle. In fact, one third of all people living north of the 60th parallel are Finns. The annual mean temperature in the south of the country is around 5 °C and 0 °C in the north. The population-weighted average number of heating degree days for Finland is 5000, considerably more than in Sweden and Norway (4000). Thus, the Finnish climate is the coldest in the EU and, consequently, a large share of the energy (22%) is used for the heating of buildings. Finland's energy consumption increased 44% in electricity and 30% in total energy use during the period 1990–2006. The increase in electricity consumption of 15,000 GWh (1995–2005) was more than Finland's total hydroelectric power capacity. The consumption increased almost equally in all sectors (industry, residential, and services). The share of renewable electricity in Finland has been stable (1998–2005): 11-12% plus yearly variable hydroelectric power, totaling 24-27%. The forest industries contributed 57% of the RE power generation via black liquor and wood burning in 1990. By 2005 this share had grown to 67%. The rest consisting primarily of hydroelectric power. As with most first world countries, the vast majority of commercially viable hydroelectric sites in Finland have already been developed. The forest industry uses 30% of all electricity in Finland (1990–2005). Its process wastes, wood residues, and black liquor were used to produce 7-8000 GWh of electricity in 2005. However, during that year electricity consumption fell 10% compared to 2004 as a result of a prolonged forest industry labour dispute. Finland's power consumption was (2005) 17.3 MW electricity per capita compared to Germany 7.5 MW per capita. This number includes the power losses of the distribution. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Finland's renewable energy sector in 2020 was predominantly fueled by bioenergy, which accounted for 81% of the renewable energy supply. Hydro/marine sources contributed 12%, wind power made up 6%, and geothermal sources added 1%, with solar energy contributions not explicitly mentioned. Finnish CO2 emissions grew 14.5% (1990:2004), while the EU average was - 0.6%.
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