Energy

Sustainability and predictability are characteristics of the energy policy objectives. During the past few years, Finland has been, for example, one of the leading industrialised countries that use renewable energy and especially bioenergy.

For more than twenty years, our aim has also been to produce as much electricity as possible in co-generation plants of electricity and heat (CHP). In this Finland ranks among the international top. We have also managed to set up an exceptionally well decentralised and versatile energy system that is based on both large and small energy production plants and diverse energy sources.

At the same time, a strong energy technology cluster, or an energy cluster, has been created in our country, and it is becoming more and more important. We have been on the international forefront in removing unnecessary regulation and thus created the preconditions for the internationalisation of our energy companies and for the growth of their efficiency.

Finnish energy policy rests on three fundamental elements: energy, economy and the environment. Thus securing energy supply, a competitive price of energy and keeping the arising environmental emissions within the international commitments play a central role.

The most important factor influencing the operating environment of energy policy is international cooperation, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Among other factors having an impact on energy policy are the objectives of reducing environmental hazards and of adapting economic activity to the principles of sustainable development. In addition, the price and availability prospects of imported energy and the increased international decision-making have an effect on the energy policy during each programming period.

The energy policy implemented is based on the objectives set in the governmental negotiations and on energy policy documents, among them the Government’s Energy Policy Programme. The energy policy carried out is also based on special programmes, such as the National Climate Strategy, and on international commitments.

The National Climate Strategy adopted in 2001 and the programmes supplementing it determine the energy policy lines to be followed. On the other hand, while drafting the Climate Strategy, the underlying principles of energy policy were also taken into account.

In recent years, the role of the EU in steering energy policy has increased despite the fact that in the European Union energy policy is national, and the EC Treaty contains no mention of a common energy policy at European level.

Finland participates in the oil distribution and security of supply systems of the International Energy Agency IEA and is bound, through numerous international organisations, such as the NEA, IAEA and Euratom, to wide-scoped cooperation in the fields of nuclear energy and nuclear surveillance.