Currently, Finland is in an impressive position regarding its electricity generation, with more than 88% coming from low-carbon sources. Breaking this down further, nuclear power accounts for more than a third of the electricity produced, followed by wind accounting for over a quarter. Hydropower contributes around 14%, and biofuels add nearly 12%, showing a strong reliance on clean energy. Net imports also make up about 7%, likely supplementing these low-carbon sources. Meanwhile, fossil fuel usage accounts for close to none, at just under 2%, and solar energy contributes the smallest share of low-carbon sources, at a little over 1%. These figures represent a 12-month period from September 2024 to August 2025, substantiating Finland's notable achievement in clean electricity generation. The next stage in Finland's journey is the electrification of other sectors like transportation, heating, and industry, which will create further demand for electricity.
Is Electricity Growing in Finland?
Though Finland has made substantial progress in generating low-carbon electricity, overall electricity consumption shows a concerning trend. The latest data indicates that Finns consumed approximately 15,192 kWh per person in 2025, which is lower than the all-time high of around 17,795 kWh per person recorded in 2006. This indicates a significant drop of 2,602 kWh per person from the historic peak. Similarly, the latest low-carbon electricity consumption per person is approximately 13,501 kWh, a reduction of 577 kWh from the record high in 2024. This dip in low-carbon electricity generation is concerning, especially as Finland aims to further electrify its economy. Sustained and even increased electricity generation is critical to support economic growth and the ongoing green transition.
Suggestions
To enhance low-carbon electricity generation further, Finland can leverage its established strengths in nuclear and wind power. Expanding existing nuclear facilities would be a strategic move given nuclear's capacity for consistent, large-scale electricity production. Concurrently, augmenting wind power installations could capitalize on Finland's geographic and climatic advantages, ensuring a reliable and sustainable supply of electricity. Moreover, investing in solar power, despite its current low contribution, could also provide significant benefits given advances in solar technology and decreasing costs. These steps will not only increase low-carbon electricity generation but also ensure that Finland continues to lead in sustainability while fostering essential economic growth.
History
Finland's history with low-carbon electricity demonstrates a pattern of fluctuations with some significant milestones. In the early 1980s, nuclear electricity generation received a boost with an increase of 7.4 TWh in 1981, alongside a 4 TWh increase from hydropower, showing a strong push toward establishing a low-carbon grid. Hydropower saw various changes like a notable growth of 5.5 TWh in 2004 but also some declines, such as the 4.4 TWh decrease in 2009. The 2020s have seen significant contributions from wind, including a 2.3 TWh increase in 2020 and a 5.4 TWh rise in 2024, which highlights the continuous efforts in expanding wind energy. In 2023, a remarkable increase in nuclear power generation by 9 TWh, along with a 2.9 TWh rise in wind energy, reaffirms Finland's commitment to enhance low-carbon options. Despite these advancements, the decline in certain periods, especially in low-carbon electricity output, underscores the necessity for a strategic and consistent push for a more robust, clean energy infrastructure.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.