Electricity in Finland in 2023

In 2023, Finland achieved a remarkable milestone by sourcing over 92% of its electricity from low-carbon or clean energy sources. Nuclear power, contributing around 41% of the total electricity, is the largest single source of clean energy in the country. Hydropower and wind energy also play significant roles, generating about 18% and 18% of electricity respectively. Additionally, biofuels contribute nearly 14%, making clean electricity production overwhelmingly dominant in Finland. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, account for a mere 5.5% of electricity, with coal contributing less than 2%. Net imports make up the small remaining portion of slightly more than 2%. Despite this impressive achievement, the next challenge lies in further electrification of other sectors such as transport, heating, and industry, which will necessitate an even larger supply of clean electricity.

Suggestions

To meet this growing demand for clean energy, Finland can focus on expanding its existing nuclear and wind power capacities. Expanding nuclear generation is particularly advantageous due to its reliability and ability to provide a stable, continuous supply of electricity without carbon emissions. Investing in advanced nuclear technologies and building additional reactors can significantly boost low-carbon electricity output. Similarly, the expansion of wind energy, which has shown substantial growth recently, can continue to harness Finland's natural resources efficiently. Enhanced grid infrastructure, better storage solutions, and streamlined approval processes for new projects can further enable the rapid scaling of these clean energy technologies, ensuring that Finland remains a leader in sustainable electricity generation.

History

The history of low-carbon electricity in Finland reflects a consistent effort towards sustainability. In the early 1980s, nuclear energy saw a notable increase with a rise in electricity generation by 7.4 TWh in 1981. This was complemented by an additional 4 TWh from hydroelectric power the same year. In the 2000s, hydroelectricity experienced several fluctuations, with increases in specific years like 5.5 TWh in 2004 and decreases such as a drop of 4.4 TWh in 2009. In recent years, wind energy has surged, particularly with a 2.3 TWh increase in 2020 and 3.2 TWh in 2022. Nuclear energy also saw a significant boost in 2023 with an increase of 8.6 TWh, along with wind energy rising by 2.9 TWh. This history showcases Finland’s ongoing commitment to increasing its clean electricity generation capacity over the decades.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Maximum Imports

Data Sources