How did Finland replace coal with green energy? - Wind capacity doubled since 2020
The closure of Finland's last coal-fired power plant brings the country to the brink of a complete coal phase-out, four years ahead of schedule.
Energy services company Helen has officially shut down its Salmisaari plant in Helsinki, reducing coal to less than 1 percent of the country's total energy. In addition to reducing emissions and increasing energy independence, the change is also cutting consumers' electricity bills.
Wind energy has replaced coal
An expansion of wind power and government policy changes have led to a collapse of coal power in Finland in recent years.
Since 2020, wind capacity has more than doubled to supply a quarter of the country's energy. Over the same period, coal generation has fallen by 73 percent, from 2.44 terawatt hours to 0.67, now accounting for less than 1 percent of the energy total.
How has Finland phased out coal?
The Ministry of Climate and Environment congratulated all the country's energy companies for their "determination" to end the use of coal. "In 2019, parliament almost unanimously approved the law to ban the use of coal within ten years. At the time, the target seemed challenging, but now that it has been achieved ahead of schedule, the adoption of the law seems very far-sighted," say sources from the ministry.
A comprehensive set of policies was combined with targeted support schemes, including a €22.8 million funding round in 2021 for innovative energy technologies and investments. Wind energy is now “the largest provider of Finland’s economic growth,” according to a recent report by the Confederation of Finnish Industries. It accounts for €26 billion, or 44 percent, of all green industry expected in the country in the near future.
“Imported fossil energy has been replaced with cleaner solutions that reduce climate emissions, while consumers benefit from lower prices,” the ministry added. Since Finland previously relied mainly on coal imported from Russia, this transformation has also increased the country’s energy independence and, consequently, national security.
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