Renewable Energy in Finland
In 2007 a total of 1,470 petajoules of energy was consumed in Finland, of which approximately 25% (364 PJ) was generated from renewable sources.Most of this renewable energy (83%) consisted of bioenergy, largely in the form of wood-based residuals combusted in pulp and paper plants to fuel industrial processes. Hydropower accounted for a further 14%, with smaller quantities of wind power, solar power, biogas, recovered fuels and energy obtained through ambient source heat pumps together making up the remaining 4%.
Within the EU Finland is a leading user of renewable energy, together with Sweden and Austria – two countries where hydropower is the most widely exploited source of renewable energy.
| Energy source | Petajoules (PJ) | % |
| Residuals from pulp and paper making processes | 153.1 | 42.1 |
| Wood fuel used in industrial processes and energy production | 93.6 | 25.7 |
| Small-scale firewood use (e.g. homes and saunas) | 48.6 | 13.4 |
| Hydropower | 50.4 | 13.9 |
| Ambient-source heat pumps | 10.0 | 2.8 |
| Solid recovered fuels (organic fraction) | 4.6 | 1.3 |
| Biogas | 1.7 | 0.5 |
| Wind power | 0.7 | 0.2 |
| Other biofuels | 0.9 | 0.2 |
| Totals | 363.6 | 100 |
| Finland’s renewable energy use by energy source, 2007. Figures: Statistics Finland |
Renewable Energy Trends in Finland – PowerPoint slides(pdf) (230.3 KB) – updated February 8th 2008
In the series of transparencies "Energy Renewed" (please look at the left column), basic information is presented on how much various renewable energy sources are utilised and what kind of objectives have been set for their use.
