Jukka Leskelä
CEO of Energiateollisuus ry (Finnish Energy)
A clean energy strategy as a catalyst for national growth
Finland's rise to becoming a winner in the energy transition and a leading country in clean energy is a significant opportunity to create new well-being and growth. All the conditions for success exist, but it requires a shared vision and determined actions.
Finland’s rise to becoming a winner in the energy transition and a leading country in clean energy is a significant opportunity to create new well-being and growth. All the conditions for success exist, but it requires a shared vision and determined actions.
The government has set good goals and developed the investment environment, particularly in terms of permitting and land use planning. Wide-ranging actions are needed to attract industrial investments to Finland that utilize clean energy, which in turn creates the conditions for clean energy production investments.
Investment in the development of energy networks is essential, and stability must be established in industrial, climate, and energy policies. Investors need assurance that Finland is dedicated to fostering clean transition within its industrial sector and is prepared to provide the necessary conditions for its realization. It is also crucial to ensure training and employment opportunities in the energy sector and to attract international talent to prevent skilled labour shortages from becoming a bottleneck.
The clean energy industrialization must become a national growth project. Public acceptance is necessary to gain societal approval. This requires clear communication and presenting an attractive vision: Finland’s growth and well-being are based on renewable energy and clean electricity.
People must also be informed about the concrete benefits that local communities, municipalities, and the whole of Finland will gain from clean energy projects. Companies and project developers have a significant role and responsibility in this. The importance of foreign investors’ capital must be emphasized, as it is essential for the development of our economy.
Finland does not yet have a sufficiently forward-looking national clean energy strategy or action plan. The measures in the government program are a good start, but determined action is still lacking. The government’s resource cuts are concerning, and we must invest in the transition to ensure Finland’s future success. Significant joint investments and influence at the EU level are needed.
Finland’s achievements in reducing emissions in electricity and heating are significant. Electricity is already almost entirely clean, and heating will follow suit in the coming years. We can multiply clean energy production at competitive prices. Moreover, we have detached from energy imports from Russia. This story is unique and of interest to decision-makers in Brussels, industrial investors and private investors alike. To effectively convey this message and foster collaboration, we require effective messengers and robust cooperation, both domestically and with our Nordic partners.
Finland’s success in the clean energy sector is possible if we act strategically and cohesively. We have all the conditions to become a leading country in the global energy transition, and now is the time to leverage this potential.
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