Finnish energy to go alternative
The share of renewable energy is to rise to 38 percent of Finland’s total consumption by year 2020, the country’s new energy strategy maintains. That will be achieved with a boost in domestic generation, partly of nuclear power.
The strategy, presented by government last week, could result in reduced power imports from Russia, as well as in the strengthening of the role of nuclear power in the country.
The new ambitious climate and energy strategy outlines measures for the period until 2020, as well as suggestions up to year 2050, a press release from the Finnish Ministy of Employment and the Economy reads.
State financing of the climate and energy sector will increase from EUR 350 million in 2007 to EUR 440 million this year, and to EUR 550 million in 2009.
Meanwhile, the country will strengthen its own generation in order to “provide for peak consumption and possible import disturbances”. In constructing Finland’s own capacity, priority will be given to plants that do not emit greenhouse gases, or ones with low emissions, such as combined power and heat plants using renewable fuels, and financially profitable and environmentally acceptable water and wind power plants, the press release reads.
This will mean more nuclear power, the country’s Minister of Economic Affairs Mauri Pekkarinen confirms to newspaper Helsingin Sanomat
The strategic objective is to halt growth in final energy consumption to approximately 310 TWh, which is about equal to current consumption.
Share of renewable energy to rise to 38 per cent through intensified support and steering systems. In addition to continued investments in nuclear energy, an intense increase in the use of wood-based energy, waste fuels, heat pumps, biogas and wind energy will take place.
Read press release on the Finnish power strategy here
Read also:
Government hopes to cut energy consumption and increase use of renewables, Helsingin Sanomat 10 November 2008
