Energy consumption drops by 7% in Jan-Sept

Total energy consumption in January to September amounted to 918 petajoule (PJ), which was seven per cent less than in the corresponding period last year, according to Statistics Finland.

The mild weather and the Paperworkers’ Union’s strike decreased the demand for energy especially in the first quarter. In the third quarter of the year, two per cent less energy was consumed compared to the year before.

The consumption of fossil fuels and peat decreased by nine per cent in January to September. The consumption of natural gas decreased most of all energy sources, by 47 per cent.

The consumption of renewable energy went down by 11 per cent in January to September.

Of renewable energy sources, the consumption of wood fuels decreased by 15 per cent, which was affected by the Paperworkers’ Union’s strike in the early part of the year.

Total electricity consumption was 59.9 terawatt hours (TWh) or five per cent lower than in January to September of the previous year.

Carbon dioxide emissions from the energy use of fuels decreased by 10 per cent compared to January to September last year.