Finland and renewable energy
Finland's energy landscape is characterized by a significant reliance on nuclear power and renewable energy sources, which together account for about two-thirds of the country's energy production. As of 2024, Finland is actively pursuing a transition to increase renewable energy's share to 50% of total energy consumption by 2030, aligning with European Union climate goals. Notably, Finland continues to construct nuclear power plants, amidst a global trend of hesitance towards nuclear development, and has developed a long-term underground storage solution for nuclear waste, known as Onkalo, which aims to safely contain waste for up to 100,000 years.
Renewable energy sources in Finland include hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass, with hydropower being the most developed, accounting for approximately 16.2% of renewable energy in 2022. Finland's extensive forest resources play a pivotal role, providing wood fuel, which constituted around 29% of the renewable energy mix, while the potential for wind energy remains largely untapped despite the country's favorable conditions. The ongoing energy transition is also influenced by efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly by 2050, as outlined in Finland's National Climate and Energy Strategy. Additionally, Finland is working towards enhancing energy efficiency and reducing dependence on imported energy, particularly following the geopolitical shifts caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Finland and renewable energy
Nuclear power and renewable energies account for about two-thirds of energy production in Finland, but commitment to meeting European Union climate and energy goals has Finland exploring more diverse renewable energy technologies.
Finland is notable for its continued construction of nuclear power plants during a time when many countries have ceased new nuclear power development in the face of popular pressure against the technology. Finland also developed a long-term storage facility to house nuclear waste underground for 100,000 years. Renewable energies—including hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass—also constitute a significant portion of Finland’s energy portfolio. As of 2024, Finland aimed to increase renewable energy’s share of energy consumption to 50 percent by 2030, exceeding European Union (EU) climate policy goals. With hydropower already well-developed, Finland was turning to its extensive forest resources and other forms of renewable energy.
Nuclear Energy and Waste Disposal
Finland had five operating nuclear power plants in 2024 that supply almost one-third of the country’s electricity. All the uranium used in Finnish nuclear reactors is imported. Proponents argue that nuclear energy reduces carbon emissions and will reduce Finnish reliance on imported electricity from Russia. Opponents argue that no other nuclear plants should be built and, energy policy should focus on renewable energies instead, which can also end Finland’s reliance on imported electricity.
Finland is notable not only for its continued construction of nuclear power plants (construction of which has been curbed in other countries because of public opposition) but also for developing a viable long-term solution to store nuclear waste. Nuclear power plant operating companies are responsible for appropriately handling the resulting nuclear waste, including the costs of nuclear waste disposal. Nuclear waste requires a management strategy to render the waste harmless for 100,000 years. Nothing humans have built has been designed to last more than a few millennia. Finland is building an underground network of tunnels 3 miles (5 kilometers) long and spiraling 1,312 feet (400 meters) deep to store spent nuclear waste. Known as Onkalo, the site is under construction and is expected to open for waste storage in the 2020s and receive waste until about 2120, at which point the tunnels will be sealed to hold the nuclear waste for the next 100,000 years. Critics question whether it is possible to create a storage facility that will render such toxic waste harmless for 100,000 years.
Renewable Energies
Renewable energy sources—including wood, peat, hydropower, wind power, geothermal energy, and solar power—account for roughly one-third of Finland’s energy production. Finland updated its Climate Change Act to reduce its carbon neutrality by 2035 and to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by between 90 and 95 percent by 2050. Finland is well on the way to reaching this target, with a long-term strategy outlined in its National Climate and Energy Strategy.
Hydropower accounted for about 16.2 percent of the country’s renewable energy in 2022. There are over 200 hydropower plants in Finland, of which more than 60 are microhydro (generating less than 1 megawatt), over 80 are small hydropower (generating 1–10 megawatts), and over 50 are large-scale hydropower (generating more than 10 megawatts). Finland’s hydropower potential has been largely harnessed; most remaining unharnessed rivers are protected for nature conservation. To increase renewable energy production substantially, Finland needs to develop other renewable energy sources.
Finland is rich in forest resources. Forests are growing at a faster rate than they are harvested as a result of the decline in the paper industry’s demand for wood; this development has positioned wood as a viable renewable energy resource. In 2022, wood fuel accounted for about 29 percent of Finland’s renewable energy, lumber industry black liquor 31 percent, and small-scale wood burning 14 percent. Peat accounted for another 6 percent (whether peat is renewable is debated). Finland seeks to further increase renewable energy production from its vast forest resources. Logging residue from forests is gathered and transported to bioenergy plants. Biofuel made up 9.4 percent of the country's renewable energy by 2021, with other bioenergy adding 4 percent. By promoting the use of wood chips for heating and power, Finland can advance toward its strict renewable energy targets.
Wind energy is underdeveloped in Finland, accounting for less than 1 percent of energy production. However, with the completion of a new national wind atlas, it is clear that Finland has great potential for developing wind power, particularly along the coasts and in shallow offshore areas.
Other Energy Issues
While nuclear and renewable energies account for a majority of Finland’s power, Finland also uses other sources of energy, including imported gas from Russia and coal from Russia and Poland. Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, around 40 percent of Finland's imported energy came from Russia. However, its dependence on Russia was significantly reduced after the start of the war.
Finland’s climate and energy policy includes a wide-ranging energy efficiency action plan to reduce demand for electricity. For example, over a third of Finland’s electricity is from cogeneration plants, and the nation has a well-developed district heating sector. By reducing energy demand through energy efficiency and conservation, Finland can further reduce greenhouse gases, mitigate the environmental impact of its energy production strategies, and possibly free itself from the need to import electricity.
Bibliography
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Ministry of Employment and the Economy. "Nuclear Energy in Finland." www.tem.fi/files/30820/250811‗Nuclear‗web.pdf. Accessed 2 Aug. 2024.
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