Renewable Energy

Renewable energy refers to energy from non-fossil sources. These include wind and solar energy, geothermal energy (heat stored below the ground surface), ambient energy (air, surface water, waste water), tidal, wave and other ocean energy, hydropower, biomass and gas and biogas from landfills and waste water treatment plants. Wave and tidal energy production is not viable in Finland with current technology and is not yet a significant part of our energy mix.

Aurinkopaneelien asennus pientalon katolle

The use of renewable energy is influenced by Finland’s own energy and climate policies and by EU decisions and directives, including the Emissions Trading and Renewable Energy Directives, which Finland must take into account in its energy policy.

In autumn 2022, the Government published the National Climate and Energy Strategy “Carbon-neutral Finland 2035 – National Climate and Energy Strategy”, with which Finland will meet the EU’s 2030 climate commitments and achieve the Climate Act’s targets of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030 and the carbon neutrality target for 2035. At the heart of the strategy is the green transition and the move away from Russian fossil energy, which is due in spring 2022.

According to the Climate and Energy Strategy, the use of renewable energy will increase significantly in both the baseline and policy scenarios, by around 50% from 2020 levels by 2050.

The sub-pages of this section provide more information on the production and use of renewable energy in Finland.

Bioenergy

Bioenergy in Finland

Bioenergy is the most important source of renewable energy in Finland. Bioenergy is widely used and produced at different scales, from large forest industry plants to small-scale individual households and real estate. In recent years, regional and district heating plants have significantly increased the share of bioenergy compared to fossil fuels.

Biogas

Biogas is a mixture of gases produced by the decomposition of organic matter under anoxic conditions. In the absence of oxygen, decomposition occurs through putrefaction by anaerobic bacteria. In the final stage of the decomposition process, methane is produced as a result of the decomposition activity of methane bacteria.

Liquid biofuels

Biomass can be processed into liquid biofuels to replace fossil fuels for transport and energy production. Biofuels are often categorised by generation. Generations describe the raw materials, production technologies and sustainability of biofuels in terms of their environmental impact.

Bioenergy boilers

Buildings can be heated by various bio-boilers burning pellets, briquettes, logs, chips or wood chips. They are used for heating small houses, farms and large properties, for example.

Wood heating at home – fireplaces, stoves and fireplaces bring extra heat to the home

In homes and cottages, you should use fireplaces, stoves and other fireplaces for heating. Wood heating can reduce the amount of heating energy you have to buy. Electric heaters in particular benefit from regular small-scale wood burning, as direct electric heating reacts quickly to other heat sources.

Heat Pumps

Heat Pumps

Air-source and ground-source heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular. Depending on the type of heat pump, heat energy is extracted from the outside air, the exhaust air from the ventilation duct of the house, water, soil or rock. The heat extracted from outside the house is mainly energy from the sun, with the exception of the heat from the bedrock, which is mostly heat from the Earth’s core.

Air-source heat pump

An air-source heat pump is a sensible investment and, if used correctly, can save you money on heating costs. Minor adjustments and maintenance ensure energy-efficient operation of the air-source heat pump. In electrically heated houses, its efficient use can save up to 30% of total energy consumption.

Air-to-water heat pump

An air-to-water heat pump (AHU) takes heating energy from the outside air and transfers it to the water heating system. air-to-water heat pumps are usually installed in areas where it is not cost-effective or not possible to install a geothermal system due to site constraints.

Ground source heat pump

A ground source heat pump collects solar heat stored in soil, rock or water. In the deeper parts of the borehole, heat is derived more substantially from fission energy from the Earth’s core in the rock and from warm groundwater flows. Geothermal heat is well suited as a year-round heating system for both new and old buildings.

Exhaust air heat pump

A forced air heat pump collects heating energy from the air leaving the house through the ventilation duct. The pump transfers the heat to the supply air, domestic hot water or the water heating system, depending on the current demand.

Heat Pump Purchasing Guide for Municipalities and Housing Companies

A successful heat pump procurement is based on a carefully and systematically prepared and implemented project and the use of experts at all stages of the project. The most important issues for the building society and its board are a careful needs assessment and project planning, and the selection of the project designer and supervisor.

The impact of a building company's heat distribution network on heat pump choices

Water radiator networks in old buildings are designed to operate at the sizing point for their climate region (depending on the region -26…-38 degrees Celsius below zero), typically at a temperature level (supply/return) of 60/40, 70/50 or even 80/60. The actual temperature level should be measured during the project design phase, as actual temperatures may differ from the design temperatures and the radiator network temperature has a significant impact on the operation and efficiency of the heat pump.

Cooling and district cooling in heat pump systems

The cooling needs of a building can have a significant impact on the profitability of a heat pump purchase. There are several cooling methods depending on, among other things, the amount of cooling required, the heat pump model, the heat collection circuit and/or the ventilation system of the building. Some cooling methods have the advantage of a low purchase price or running costs, while others have the advantage of a high cooling capacity. In large systems, such as those often found in hospitals, shopping centres, offices and ice rinks, the cooling load can be used for heating or charging energy wells.

Solar Power

Solar power is an investment worth considering for both private homes and apartment buildings, when a suitable location for the panels can be found and the electricity produced can be used sufficiently in the building.

Energy Communities for Electricity Generation and Distribution

Energy communities can be seen as a form of sharing economy. It is where community members share the benefits of energy production and supply. Energy communities offer consumers a new way to participate in the energy market and improve their ability to produce part of the energy they use in the way they want.

Solar Heating

Solar thermal energy is an emission-free and renewable heat source. It is suitable for space and domestic hot water heating in both detached houses and housing associations.

Electricity from the Sun

Solar electricity is generated by harnessing the sun’s radiant energy. Solar radiation consists of photons, or particles, which carry the sun’s radiant energy. When they hit solar cells, the photons transfer their energy to electrons in the material of the cells. These electrons, energised by the photons, form an electric current in the conductors of the solar cells.

Amount of Solar Radiation in Finland

Total solar irradiance consists of direct and scattered radiation from the Sun. Shadow radiation is radiation reflected by the atmosphere and clouds, and scattered radiation reflected from the ground.

Wind Power

Wind Power in Finland

In Finland, the winter months in particular are windy compared to the summer months. There are areas well suited to wind power production on the coast, in maritime areas, on the fells and in many places inland. In recent years, wind turbines have been built in greater numbers than in previous years.

Wind Power Licensing Procedures

The construction of a wind farm always requires either a building permit or an operating permit. In practice, wind turbines are usually treated as buildings requiring a building permit. An operating permit allows the construction of small wind turbines, mainly for private domestic use.

Environmental and Other Impacts of Wind Power

The environmental impacts of wind power are related to noise, landscape changes, flicker from blades and potential harm to wildlife such as birds and fish.

Hydropower

Hydropower in Finland

Hydropower is a domestic and renewable form of energy. There are about 250 hydropower plants in Finland, and Finland’s total hydropower capacity is about 3 190 MW.

Small-scale Production

Small-scale Electricity Production

Small-scale electricity production in Finland is subject to rules and obligations that you should be aware of if you are considering generating your own electricity, for example in a household, housing association or business. This article focuses on power plants up to 100 kilovolt amperes (kVA).

Small Wind Power

Small wind turbines are, as their name suggests, smaller in capacity than wind turbines for industrial production. Most small wind turbines are a few hundred or a thousand watts (kW), which can be installed near a summer cottage or property. Small wind turbines of up to 50-100 kW used in agriculture and small industry are also considered small wind turbines.