According to preliminary data from Statistics Finland, the total energy consumption remained stable at 956 petajoules (PJ) from January to June, identical to the previous year. The commencement of regular electricity production at Olkiluoto 3 in April contributed to the growth in nuclear power production. Furthermore, the significant increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports led to a substantial rise in natural gas consumption.
Key Highlights:
- Renewable energy consumption decreased by 3% in January-September. Wood fuel consumption saw a decline of 4%.
- The combined consumption of fossil fuels and peat decreased by 5%, with peat consumption witnessing the most significant drop at 37%.
- Total electricity consumption was 56.7 terawatt-hours (TWh), marking a 6% decrease compared to the previous year. Nuclear power production increased by 32% with Olkiluoto 3’s regular electricity production.
- Carbon dioxide emissions from fuel energy use decreased by 8% compared to the previous year.
Record Growth in Nuclear Power Production:
- From January to September, nuclear power contributed to a record 23.6 TWh of energy, indicating a 32% growth from the previous year.
- With the growth in nuclear power production, the significance of electricity imports decreased significantly, with net electricity imports decreasing by 95% from the previous year.
- Renewable electricity production also increased, with solar power production growing by 63%, and wind and hydropower productions increasing by 31% and 1%, respectively.
Decline in Fossil Fuels and Peat Consumption:
- The combined consumption of fossil fuels and peat decreased by 5% from the previous year. Oil and coal consumption saw declines of 7% and 11%, respectively.
- Peat consumption, considered equivalent to fossil fuels, experienced a substantial decrease of 37%.
- Gas consumption rebounded with a 47% increase, attributed to the growth in liquefied natural gas replacing pipeline gas imports.
Reduced Renewable Energy Consumption:
- Renewable energy consumption saw a 3% decline compared to the previous year, with wood fuel consumption being the primary contributor to the decrease, dropping by 4%.
The data showcases a dynamic energy landscape in Finland, reflecting changes in production sources and consumption patterns across various energy sectors. Further detailed insights can be derived from the Statistics Finland report.