IEA visited Finland to review its energy policy

A week-long visit of an expert group from the International Energy Agency (IEA) to Finland ended on 24 October 2022. The group was in Finland to assess the energy policy implemented and future prospects. This time, the country review focused on electrification, clean energy production and the promotion of hydrogen use.

During the visit organised by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the review team met representatives of ministries, key operators, organisations and interest groups in the energy sector.

“The group has processed a huge amount of information and discussed with about one hundred experts. I would like to thank the team for the careful evaluation of highly topical themes. At the same time as we ensure the security of energy supply, we must consistently invest in a climate neutral future. I’m confident that the forthcoming report will be of help to us in developing sustainable energy policies,” said Riku Huttunen, Director General of the Energy Department in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.

According to the preliminary recommendations of the expert group, Finland must prepare a contingency plan to achieve the carbon neutrality target for 2035 in the event that the carbon sink targets of the LULUCF sector are not met to the extent expected. Finland must also ensure that the temporary measures implemented due to higher energy prices do not weaken the impact of long-term investments and decisions on clean energy.

The review team also recommends that Finland ensure that key ministries, agencies and other public sector entities have sufficient resources to rapidly develop legislation, implement reforms and introduce quick and simple permit procedures for clean energy projects and support infrastructure.

In addition, Finland should ensure it has enough skilled workforce to achieve the ambitious climate and energy targets. Cooperation in energy and climate planning between national, regional and local governments should also be strengthened.

“The team is grateful for the co-operation and assistance of the many Finnish colleagues who supported the review. Thanks to their hospitality, openness and willingness to share information, the visit was highly informative, productive and enjoyable,” said Robert McGuinness, the Irish leader of the expert group.

The IEA country review is a peer review, and this year the team of 12 experts assessing Finland consisted of representatives from the IEA Secretariat, the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), the European Commission, Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Canada, Turkey and Estonia

After the visit, the IEA Secretariat together with the review team will draft a written report on the country review. The final report will be published in spring of 2023. It will present an assessment of the current state of Finland’s energy policy and will provide recommendations on further policy actions that are needed.

The previous country reviews for Finland were conducted in 2018, 2013 and 2007. In all of them Finland won recognition for the policy choices it has made and for the diversity of its domestic energy production.

Inquiries: 
Riku Huttunen, Director General, Minister of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 431 6518 
Juho Korteniemi, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 567 0715