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Published: 24 March 2010

Total energy consumption fell by six per cent in 2009

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, total consumption of energy was 1,330 petajoule (PJ) in 2009, which was six per cent less than in the previous year. Electricity consumption decreased by seven per cent over the same time period. Carbon dioxide emissions from the production and use of energy diminished by three per cent.

Total energy consumption, petajoule (1 petajoule = 1,000 terajoule)

Share of renewable energy on the decline

The economic recession lowered consumption of energy particularly in industry. Industrial production collapsed by over 20 per cent from 2008. The fall was historically steep and the volume of production fell to the level of 2000. Total energy consumption has last been this low in 2000.

Consumption of renewable energy sources went down by 13 per cent. Among manufacturing industries, production in the forest industry fell strongly. As an industry, the forest industry is the biggest user of electricity as well as the main user of renewable energy sources. Of individual energy sources, most fell the use of wood-based fuels, especially of black liquor generated in pulp production. Worsened water situation from the previous year of record reduced the production of hydro power by 26 per cent.

Two per cent more electricity was produced with nuclear power than the year before and at the same time a record volume thus far was attained in annual production. Wind power production increased by six per cent from the year before, but was still only 0.4 per cent of electricity produced.

Consumption of fossil fuels and peat declined by five per cent. Of fossil fuels the consumption of coal (including here hard coal, coke, and blast furnace and coke oven gas) went up by nine per cent. Decreased production of water power raised the use of hard coal in separate production of electricity. The lower prices of emission rights compared with the previous year also improved the competitiveness of hard coal as a fuel in heat and power production when compared with fuels with lower emission rates. Colder weather than the year before heightened the need for heating.

Net imports of electricity declined by five per cent. Fifteen per cent of the electricity consumed in Finland was covered with imported electricity. In the Nordic electricity markets Finland was a net seller but the volume of electricity imported from Russia hit all-time record high.

Prices lower than in the previous year, but rising

The market price of electricity in the Nordic electricity exchange Nord Pool remained lower than in the previous year. However, towards the end of the year the price rose higher than in December 2008.

The price of natural gas was falling in the early part of the year, but went up in the summer. At the end of the year the price was 13 per cent lower than one year before.

The prices of transport fuels and light and heavy fuel oil remained on the average lower than in the previous year. However, the prices rose over the year from the level of the previous year's December. The price development reflected the price development of crude oil, which after a steep plunge towards the end of 2008 was rising steadily in 2009. The consumer price of motor gasoline went up by 16 per cent from December to December and that of light fuel oil by 14 per cent. The price development of diesel oil was more moderate, with a rise of two per cent in the corresponding period. The price of diesel was pushed down by decreased transportation by industry.

Sources: Energy supply, consumption and prices 2009, 4th quarter. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Mr Anssi Vuorio +358 9 1734 2685, energia.tilastokeskus@stat.fi

Director in charge: Leena Storgårds

Tables

Appendix tables

Figures

Last updated 24.3.2010

Referencing instructions:

Statistics: Energy supply, consumption and prices [e-publication].
ISSN=1798-338X. 4th quarter 2009. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 27.12.2024].
Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/ehkh/2009/04/ehkh_2009_04_2010-03-24_tie_001_en.html