Mode of production
| Electricity by mode of production (%) [3] | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Hydro | Wind | Solar | Nuclear | Coal | Oil | Gas | Peat | Wood | Other | Imports |
| 2005 | 15.9% | 0.2% | 0.0% | 26.4% | 7.2% | 0.5% | 12.9% | 5.0% | 10.3% | 1.7% | 20.1% |
| 2006 | 12.6% | 0.2% | 0.0% | 24.4% | 16.9% | 0.5% | 13.3% | 6.9% | 11.1% | 1.5% | 12.7% |
| 2007 | 15.5% | 0.2% | 0.0% | 24.9% | 14.4% | 0.5% | 11.3% | 7.7% | 10.1% | 1.7% | 13.9% |
| 2008 | 19.4% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 25.3% | 9.1% | 0.7% | 12.3% | 5.6% | 10.9% | 1.8% | 14.6% |
| 2009 | 15.5% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 27.8% | 12.8% | 0.6% | 11.8% | 5.1% | 9.7% | 1.6% | 14.9% |
| 2010 | 14.5% | 0.3% | 0.0% | 25.0% | 15.5% | 0.5% | 12.5% | 6.7% | 11.4% | 1.6% | 12.0% |
| 2011 | 14.6% | 0.6% | 0.0% | 26.4% | 10.8% | 0.5% | 10.9% | 6.0% | 12.0% | 1.8% | 16.4% |
| 2012 | 19.6% | 0.6% | 0.0% | 25.9% | 7.8% | 0.3% | 7.7% | 4.0% | 11.8% | 1.8% | 20.5% |
| 2013 | 15.1% | 0.9% | 0.0% | 27.0% | 11.9% | 0.2% | 7.9% | 3.5% | 12.8% | 2.0% | 18.7% |
| 2014 | 15.9% | 1.3% | 0.0% | 27.1% | 8.9% | 0.2% | 6.5% | 3.8% | 12.6% | 2.0% | 21.5% |
| 2015 | 20.1% | 2.8% | 0.0% | 27.1% | 5.8% | 0.2% | 6.2% | 3.5% | 12.3% | 2.2% | 19.8% |
| 2016 | 18.4% | 3.6% | 0.0% | 26.2% | 7.7% | 0.2% | 4.3% | 3.2% | 12.0% | 2.3% | 22.3% |
| 2017 | 17.1% | 5.6% | 0.1% | 25.2% | 6.5% | 0.2% | 3.8% | 3.0% | 12.3% | 2.2% | 23.9% |
| 2018 | 15.0% | 6.7% | 0.1% | 25.0% | 6.2% | 0.3% | 4.7% | 3.7% | 12.7% | 2.8% | 22.8% |
| 2019 | 14.2% | 7.0% | 0.2% | 26.6% | 4.8% | 0.3% | 4.4% | 3.3% | 13.5% | 2.5% | 23.3% |
| 2020 | 19.2% | 9.7% | 0.3% | 27.4% | 2.8% | 0.2% | 4.8% | 2.4% | 12.6% | 2.2% | 18.5% |
| 2021 | 17.9% | 9.4% | 0.3% | 26.0% | 2.9% | 0.2% | 4.3% | 2.2% | 13.9% | 2.2% | 20.4% |
| 2022 | 16.3% | 14.1% | 0.5% | 29.7% | 4.0% | 0.3% | 1.1% | 2.5% | 13.9% | 2.3% | 15.3% |
| 2023 * | 18.8% | 18.1% | 0.8% | 41.0% | 1.9% | 0.2% | 0.8% | 1.4% | 12.8% | 2.0% | 2.2% |
Fossil fuels
Except for peat, which is variously classed as either a fossil fuel or a slow-renewable fuel, Finland imports all the fossil fuels used for electricity production. Coal and natural gas account for most of the production, with some oil generators acting mostly as reserve. The use of fossil fuels has fallen from highs over 30% in 2003-2004 to 20% or below in 2012-2014. By 2020 the share was closer to 10%. This is largely a consequence of cheap imported electricity, although domestic renewables have also increased in their share of production. [16]
In 2019 the parliament passed a law to ban the use of coal for energy production by May 1, 2029. [17] As of 2021 [update] there are no plans to ban other fossil fuels. Despite popular support for banning the use of peat, there is only a commitment to halve its use by 2030. [18] [19] However, it is estimated that market forces will reduce peat's energy use to a third of its 2019 level by 2025. [20]
Nuclear power
As of 2023, Finland has five operating nuclear reactors in two power plants, all located on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Nuclear power provided about 34% of the country's electricity generation in 2020. [21] The first research nuclear reactor in Finland was commissioned in 1962 and the first commercial reactor started operation in 1977. [21] The fifth reactor started operation in April 2023. [22]
Finland's nuclear reactors are among the world's most productive, with an average capacity factor of 95% in the 2010s. [21]Renewable energy
Between 2005-2014, Finland produced 25-30% of electricity as a percentage of demand from renewable energy. The largest source is hydropower (15-20%) which fluctuates yearly depending on rainfall, causing the share of renewable generation to also vary. Other major sources are wood-based energy resources like black liquor from the forest industry, accounting for approximately 12% on average. In recent years wind power (see below) has grown to be significant and renewables have surpassed 40% of demand. [3] [23]
Wind power
Wind power in Finland has been the fastest growing source of electricity in recent years. In 2023, Finland covered 18.2% of the yearly electricity demand with wind power production, which was 18.5% of the domestic production. Wind capacity was up 1.3 GW from the previous year and wind production up 25%. [24] This compares to an average wind power share of 19% in the EU. [25]
By the end of 2022, Finland's wind power capacity reached 5,677 MW with 1,393 turbines installed. That year, wind power production increased by 41% to 11.6 TWh, representing 14.1% of the country's electricity consumption. This growth positioned wind power as the country's third largest electricity source. [26]
According to a 2018 study done by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, published in Nature Energy , new wind power technology could cover the entire electricity consumption (86 TWh) of Finland. [27]
Wind power is one of the most popular energy resources among the Finnish public. In 2022 82% of respondents wanted more wind power, which was second only to solar with 90%. [28] Previous results include 90% in September 2007 and 88% in April 2005. [29] In the Pori area of Finland 97% of people supported wind power according to Suomen Hyötytuuli Oy in 2000. [30]
