Energy in Finland

Energy in Finland describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Finland. Energy policy of Finland describes the politics of Finland related to energy. Electricity sector in Finland is the main article of electricity in Finland.

Finland lacks domestic sources of fossil energy and must import substantial amounts of petroleum, natural gas, and other energy resources, including uranium for nuclear power.

Overview

Energy in Finland [1]
Capita Prim. energy Production Import Electricity CO2-emission
Million TWh TWh TWh TWh Mt
2004 5.23 443 185 247 87.7 68.9
2007 5.29 424 185 232 90.8 64.4
2008 5.31 410 193 230 86.9 56.6
2009 5.34 386 192 213 81.4 55.0
2010 5.36 423 201 210 88.4 62.9
2012 5.39 84.8 55.6
Change 2004-10 2.5% -4.4 % 8.8% -15.1 % 0.8% -8.7 %
Mtoe = 11.63 TWh, Prim. energy includes energy losses that are 2/3 for nuclear power[2]

There was no sustainable decline in CO2 emission in Finland during 1990–2007. The energy use decline 2008–2009 is based on recession and at least some paper industry factories relocation abroad. The annual changes of CO2 emissions of Finland were in some years 7–20% during 1990–2007. Increase of emissions was 18% in 1996 and 20% in 2006. The peat energy use and CO2 emissions per capita had correlation in 1990–2007.[3][4]

CO2 tonnes per capita in Finland
t/capita Annual change % Peat TWh
1990 10.2 16
1991 11.0 108% 16
1995 10.2 21
1996 12.0 118% 24
2000 10.1 17
2001 10.9 108% 24
2003 13.2 28
2004 12.8 25
2005 10.4 19
2006 12.6 121% 26
2007 12.1 29

Consumption

Energy consumption increased 44 percent in electricity and 30 percent in the total energy use from 1990 to 2006. The increase in electricity consumption 15,000 GWh from 1995 to 2005 was more than the total hydropower capacity. The electricity consumption increased almost equally in all sectors (industry, homes, and services). The share of electricity generated from renewable energy in Finland has been stable from 1998 to 2005: 11 to 12 percent plus yearly changing hydropower, together around 24 to 27 percent. The RE of total energy has been 24 percent (1998 to 2005). The forest industry black liquor and forest industry wood burning were 57 percent (1990) and 67 percent (2005) of the RE of total energy.[5] The rest is mainly water power. The most of available hydropower for energy is already in use. The forest industry uses 30 percent of all electricity in Finland (1990–2005). Its process wastes, wood residues and black liquor, gave 7000–8000 GWh RE electricity in 2005. In the year 2005 this and electricity consumption fell 10% compared to 2004 based on the long forest industry strike.[6] Finland consumed (2005) 17.3 MWh electricity per capita compared to Germany 7.5 MWh per capita. This number includes the power losses of the distribution.

Electricity

In 2009 the consumption of energy sources in electricity generation by mode of production was: 28% nuclear power, 16% hydro power, 13% coal, 11% natural gas, 5% peat and 10% wood fuels and other renewables. Net imports of electricity in 2009 were 15%.[7] In 2011, 16% of electricity consumption was derived from imported electricity.[8]

European Commission (EC) demanded for Finland a €32,000-day penalty from the Court of Justice of the European Union in March 2013 for not implementing the electricity directive in time.[9]

The share of electricity generation from renewables in Finland was 40% 2012 and target 33% by 2020. In comparison unlike Finland most countries have target to increase the share of electricity generation from renewables from 2012 to 2020 in Europe as: [10]

Houses

80% of the energy use of households was spent on heating in 2008–2011.[11][12]

Energy sources

Fossil fuels

There are no fossil fuels in Finland.

Petroleum

In 2007 oil imports were almost 11 million tonnes in Finland. In 2006, Finnish oil imports came from Russia (64 percent), Norway (11 percent), Denmark (11 percent), and the rest from United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, and Algeria. Petroleum comprises 24 percent of Finnish energy consumption. Most of petroleum is used in vehicles, but about 260,000 homes are heated by heating oil.

Neste Oil is the sole oil refiner in Finland, exporting petroleum products such as gasoline and fuel oil to Baltic countries and North America. Oil imports were valued at 6.5 billion euros and exports 3 billion euros in 2006.[13]

Natural gas

In 2010 the share of gas in TPES was about 10%. Finland was 100% dependent on a single supplier in gas, namely Russia, and there is no gas storage capacity. However, in Finland, gas is essentially never used in direct heating of homes, which are heated by direct electric heating, oil or district heating. 75% of gas is used for production of electricity or combined heat and power and in industry, with domestic use being rare. In total, 93% of the gas is sold to large installations directly rather than by retail.[14] In Helsinki, however, there are 30,000 network-connected domestic gas users and 300 restaurants. There is an alternative fuel obligation, so that in the event of a gas supply disturbance, other fuels can be immediately substituted. The gas distribution network reaches only the southeastern coast, with the northernmost point at Ikaalinen.

The neighbouring country Sweden was 100% dependent on Danish gas in 2010. The share of gas in Sweden was lower than in Finland, 3.5% in 2009 (13 Twh gas /376 Twh total final use).[15] The gas dependency in Finland and Sweden was less than in average in OECD countries in 2010. 16 out of 28 IEA member countries are dependent on gas over 20% in TPES.[16]

Natural gas has been used since 1974 after the first oil crisis.[17] Gasum is the Finnish importer and seller of natural gas, which owns and operates Finnish natural gas transmission system. Natural gas vehicles aren't popular in Finland, but natural gas powered busses exist.

Coal

Main article: Coal in Finland

Coal is imported from Russia and Poland. 5.6 million tonnes were used in 2007.

According to Finnwatch (27 September 2010) there are 13 coal power plants in Finland. The companies Pohjolan Voima, Fortum, Helsingin Energia and Rautaruukki consume coal most. According to the statistics of the Customs 18.3 million tonnes of coal was imported in Finland between 2007–2009 from: 72.5% Russia; 7.3% USA; 6.6% Canada; 5.9% Australia; 3.0% Poland, 1.4% South Africa; 1.3% Colombia and 1.1% Indonesia. The majority of Finnish coal is mined in the Kuznetsk Basin of the Kemerovo Oblast, Russia.[18]

The Finnish companies know the country of origin of coal. The specific mine of origin is not always known, especially for the coal blends. According to the Finnwatch inquiry in 2010 none of the Finnish companies have yet made a commitment to give up coal consumption. Based on new investments, companies reported the following reductions in their future coal use: Helsingin Energia −40 % by 2020, Lahti Energia several tens of % by 2012 and Vantaan Energia −30 % by 2014.[18]

The ILO Agreement 176 (1995) addresses health and safety risks in mines.[19] Finland ratified the agreement in 1997. However, in 2010 the agreement was not ratified in the following countries that export coal to Finland: Russia, Canada, Australia, Colombia, Kazakstan, Indonesia and China. At least two companies in Finland reported (2010) using the UN Global Compact initiative criteria in their supplier relationships. No Finnish company reported signing the UN Global Compact Initiative. According to the DanWatch report ”The Curse of Coal” Danish DONG Energy and Swedish Vattenfall have underlined UN Global Compact Initiative.[18][20]

Peat

Peat and hard coal are the most harmful energy sources for global warming in Finland. According to VTT studies peat is often the most harmful one.[21]

Peat is the most popular energy source in Finland for new energy investments 2005–2015. The new energy plants in Finland starting 2005–2015 have as energy source: peat 36% and hard coal 11%: combined: 47%. The major carbon dioxide emitting peat plants during 2005–15 are/will be (CO2 kt): PVO 2700 kt, Jyväskylän Energia 561 kt, Etelä-Pohjanmaan Voima Oy (EPV Energia) 374 kt, Kuopion Energia 186 kt, UPM Kymmene 135 kt and Vapo 69 kt. EPV Energy is partner in TVO nuclear plants and Jyväskylän and Kuopion Energia partners in Fennovoima nuclear plants in Finland.[22]

According to IEA country report the Finnish subsidies for peat undermine the goal to reduce CO2 emissions and counteracts other environmental policies and The European Union emissions trading scheme. IEA recommends to adhere to the timetable to phase out the peat subsidies in 2010. “To encourage sustained production of peat in the face of negative incentives from the European Union's emissions trading scheme for greenhouse gases, Finland has put in place a premium tariff scheme to subsidise peat. The premium tariff is designed to directly counter the effect of the European Union's emissions trading scheme.”[23]

Nuclear power

As of 2008, Finland's nuclear power program has four nuclear reactors in two power plants. The first of these came into operation in 1977. In 2007 they provided 28.4% of Finland's electricity.[24] They are among the world's most efficient, with average capacity factors[25] of 94% in the 1990s.[26] A fifth nuclear reactor is under construction, scheduled to go online in 2015.

If all planned projects are completed, the share of electricity produced by nuclear could double by 2025, reaching around 60%.[27]

Renewable energy

Energy companies have no renewable energy obligations in Finland.

The share of renewable energy in per cent in Finland was 28% in 2012 and 25% in 2000. The share of renewable energy 5 years average 2006–2010 was 24.7 % and 10 years average 2001–2010 was 26.0 %. The share of renewable energy in Finland:[28]

Renewable energy of electricity (2005):

The renewable energy objectives set by the European Union are 22 percent renewable source electricity and 12 percent renewable of primary energy by 2010 under the European Union directive 2003/30/EC (Directive on the Promotion of the use of biofuels and other renewable fuels for transport) and white paper. This includes the objectives of 40 GW wind power, 3 GW photovoltaics and 5.75 percent biofuels by 2010.

EU and Finland Wind Energy Capacity (MW)[29][30][31][32]
No Country 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
EU-27 117,289 105,696 93,957 84,074 74,767 64,712 56,517 48,069 40,511 34,383 28,599 23,159 17,315 12,887 9,678 6,453
18 Finland 448 288 197 197 146 143 110 86 82 82 52 43 39 39 39 17

Energy use

Traffic

The Kyoto agreement had obligation to restrict the traffic emissions in Finland between 2008–12 in the year 1990 level. According to Ministry report in 2004 the share of public transport in Finland is lower that in the most European countries.[33]

Energy policy

The objective of RE (2005) of electricity was 35% (1997–2010). However, (2006) the Finnish objective was dropped to 31.5% (1997–2010). According to 'Renewables Global Status Report' Finland aims to increase RE only 2% in 13 years. This objective to add the RE use with 2% in 13 years is among the modest of all the EU countries.[34]

Carbon emissions

The Finnish CO2 emissions grew 14.5% (1990:2004), when EU average was – 0.6%.[35] According to the Finnish RE organisations and Finnish public the potential of RE increase in Finland is huge.

The carbon dioxide emissions by fossil fuels in 2008 originated from 45% oil, 39% coal and 15% natural gas. In the year 2000 the shares were nearly equal: 48% oil and 37% coal. The fossil traffic fuels: motor petrol, diesel and aviation petrol are oil products. The biomass included 47% of black liquer and 52% of wood in 2008. These shares were practically same during 1990–2006. All biomass and agricultural warming gas emissions are free of charge in the EU emissions trading in 2008–2012. According to the official statistics the annual fossil fuel and coal emissions in Finland have large annual variation. E.g. the fossil fuel CO2 emissions dropped 18% in the year 2005 and 13% in 2008, but the annual coal emissions increased 22% in 1996, 22% in 2001 and 58% in 2006.

According to the energy statistics the major changing factors for the annual emission changes were the consumption of coal and peat. In 2006 the hard coal increase was 92% subject to industry (including energy producing industry) separate electricity generation from hard coal. At the same time the controversial peat consumption was increased. The district heating used 42% of hard coal in average 1990–2006, but its annual variation was small compared to the industry separate electricity generation.[36]

Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Fuels[37]
mil. t CO2 % of fossil fuels total
Year Biomass Fossil Coal Oil N. gas Traffic
1990 19.3 53.0 38 31 9 22
2000 29.4 53.1 37 26 15 22
2004 32.9 64.3 45 21 14 20
2005 30.7 52.8 35 25 16 24
2006 34.5 64.1 45 20 14 20
2007 33.0 61.8 45 21 13 21
2008 33.1 53.7 39 22 15 24
Coal: Hard coal, other coal and peat

Other coal: coke, blast furnace gas, coke oven gas, coal tar, and other non-specified coal
Oil: Heavy fuel oil, light fuel oil and other oil
Natural gas
Fossil traffic fuels: motor petrol, diesel and aviation petrol
Biomass: black liquer and wood
Greenhouse gas emissions have been published annually in April by Statistics Finland.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Fuels: Coal[37]
mil. t CO2 % of fossil total
Fossil Hard coal Other coal Peat Coal total Peat Coal total
1990 53.0 12 3 6 20.1 10.6 37.9
2000 53.1 9 4 7 19.4 12.2 36.5
2004 64.3 16 4 9 28.7 14.5 44.6
2005 52.8 8 4 7 18.3 13.6 34.7
2006 64.1 15 4 10 28.9 15.3 45.1
2007 61.8 13 4 11 27.4 17.3 44.3
2008 53.7 9 3 9 20.7 15.8 38.5
Other coal: coke, blast furnace gas, coke oven gas, coal tar and other non specified coal

Energy subsidies

The public energy subsidies in Finland in 2013 were €700 million for fossil energy and €60 million for renewable energy (mainly wood and wind).[38]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Energy in Finland.

External links

References

  1. IEA Key World Energy Statistics Statistics 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2006 IEA October, crude oil p.11, coal p. 13 gas p. 15
  2. Energy in Sweden 2010, Facts and figures, The Swedish Energy Agency, Table 8 Losses in nuclear power stations Table 9 Nuclear power brutto
  3. Energy in Finland statistics, Statistics of Finland (Peat TWh)
  4. US Department of Energy's Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) based on the United Nations Statistics Division, List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions per capita
  5. Energy statistics 2006, Finnish statistical center, Tilastokeskus, energiatilasto, Vuosikirja 2006.
  6. Greenhouse gas emissions in Finland 1990–2005 National Inventory Report to the UNFCCC 15 April 2007, Finnish statistics
  7. Preliminary Energy Statistics 2009 Finnish statistical center 24 March 2010, Table 3.3.1. Consumption of energy sources in electricity generation by mode of production 2009 (preliminary information)
  8. http://www.stat.fi/til/ehk/2011/03/ehk_2011_03_2011-12-16_tie_001_en.html
  9. Komissio vaatii Suomelle yli 30 000 euron päivittäistä uhkasakkoa yle 12 March 2013
  10. Renewables 2014 Global Status Report, page 118
  11. Over 80 per cent of energy consumption in households spent on heating between 2008 and 2011
  12. Energy consumption in households 2008–2011, GWh 16 November 2012 Statistics Finland
  13. http://www.oil-gas.fi/index.php?m=4&id=203
  14. http://www.energiavirasto.fi/documents/10179/0/Kertomus+maakaasun+toimitusvarmuudesta+2013.pdf/a5d7b7ab-c0d4-4f0e-a8f6-6056c8d40ec3
  15. Energy in Sweden 2010, Facts and figures Table 7
  16. Gas emergency policy: Where do IEA countries stand? IEA May 2011, figures
  17. http://www.oil-gas.fi/index.php?m=4&id=210
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Kivihiilta_idasta_ja_etelasta.pdf Kivihiiltä idästä ja etelästä Vastuullisuus energiayhtiöiden ostoissa FinnWatch 3/2010 (27 September 2010) page 4-12, page 5 Table of coal imports in 2007–2009 (include www references)(Finnish)
  19. ILO agreement 176
  20. Danwatch
  21. Jyri Seppälä, Kaisu Aapala, Kimmo Silvo and Raimo Heikkilä 2008: Muistio Suomen IPCC-ryhmän avoimesta Turpeen ilmastovaikutusten arviointi -seminaarista. Suomen ympäristökeskus.
  22. Saastuttaminen kannattaa, selvitys energiainvestoinneista 2005–2010 Greenpeace 2009 p. 14-15 if two owners, the emission is divided between them undepended of the actual share of the plant
  23. Energy Policies of IEA Countries – ¨Finland 2007 Review IEA 26 March 2008, pages 9, 71, 80 and 83
  24. Nuclear Energy Agency Country Profiles – Finland
  25. The capacity factor is the energy produced in a year by a power plant as a percentage of the energy it would have produced had it been operating at full capacity for the entire year.
  26. Nuclear Energy in Finland: WNA
  27. Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Finland 2013
  28. Energy in Sweden 2012. Facts and figures
  29. EWEA Staff (2010). "Cumulative installed capacity per EU Member State 1998 – 2009 (MW)". European Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 2010-05-22.
  30. EWEA Staff (February 2011). "EWEA Annual Statistics 2010" (PDF). European Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  31. EWEA Staff (February 2012). "EWEA Annual Statistics 2011" (PDF). European Wind Energy Association. Retrieved 2011-02-18.
  32. Wind in power: 2012 European statistics February 2013
  33. ”Joukkoliikenne nousuun!” –mietintö, Liikenne- ja viestintäministeriö 2004
  34. 2005: Record year for investments in renewable energy REN21“Renewables Global Status Report 2006 Update”, REN21. 2006. (Paris: REN21 Secretariat and Washington, DC:Worldwatch Institute).
  35. Highlights from Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Data for 1990–2004 United Nations Convention on Climate Change
  36. Energy Statistics 2007: Table 2.4.1 Consumption of Hard Coal
  37. 37.0 37.1 Energy Statistics Yearbook 2009, Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Fuels Table 11.3.1, Statistics Finland 2010
  38. Simo sai jättimäiset tuulivoimalat HS 3.4.2014 A10