Use of renewable energy surpasses fossil energy

The use of renewable energy in total energy consumption surpassed the use of fossil energy in 2020, according to a thematic report on renewable energy published on Tuesday.

The report also said that the rapid increase in the price of emission allowances promotes investments in renewable energy and their use, said the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in a press release referring to the report.

The biogas sector will advance with the introduction of the distribution obligation and the guarantee of origin system.

In 2020, the total consumption of renewable energy was 140 terawatt hours (TWh). The share of renewable energy sources in the end-use energy consumption rose to 44.6%, which meant that Finland clearly exceeded the 38% target set by the EU for the use of renewable energy sources.

This surplus also enabled the statistical transfer of 1.9 terawatt hours to Belgium for a price of about EUR 26 million. Even after the transfer, the proportion of renewable energy in Finland’s end consumption remained high (43.9%).

At 74%, wood-based energy sources were the most significant source of total renewable energy consumption in 2020. Biogas production totalled 877 gigawatt hours (GWh) and its consumption 733 GWh. The remaining 144 GWh were burned off in a flare stack system.

Including biomethane in the biofuel distribution obligation from the beginning of this year may increase the demand for biogas, especially as a transport fuel, and improve the profitability of biogas projects. This will also improve their eligibility for financing. Under the legislation currently in force, the distribution obligation will gradually rise from 19.5% at present to 30% by 2029.

Other measures that promote biogas production include extending the scope of the guarantee of origin system to biogas and streamlining permit procedures. However, the future price level under the guarantee of origin will ultimately determine the impact of the system on a biogas company’s financial performance and profitability.

The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has a major impact on the auto industry too. The greatest uncertainty regarding the wider use of biogas is the availability of gas vehicles in the future. Due to the regulation, auto manufacturers must significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

The proposal on the zero emissions of passenger cars from 2035, which is included in the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ package, one-sidedly favours the introduction of electric and hydrogen cars. This would mean that the development of biogas use in transport would focus exclusively on heavy vehicles and shipping. In addition, the thermal energy required for industrial processes can be produced with biogas very easily.

Business Sector Services are expert services provided by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment that collate, analyse and distribute information about the operating environment for companies and the development of sectors.