Energy efficiency agreements have delivered savings on a billion-euro scale

Between 2017 and 2025, Finnish companies and municipalities invested more than EUR 2 billion in measures improving energy efficiency. Thanks to these measures, the organisations are saving 18.6 terawatts (TWh) of energy per year compared with the initial situation. With the help of voluntary energy efficiency agreements between the government and sectors, Finland has achieved the EU’s strict energy efficiency obligations without the need for national legislation or other mandatory measures.

More energy savings were achieved during the third energy efficiency agreement period (2017–2025) than during any previous period in the 30-year history of the scheme. 

“This voluntary scheme combines concrete objectives, annual monitoring and practical support. The results show that the model generates substantial savings while allowing companies and municipalities to flexibly develop new energy efficiency measures based on their own circumstances,” says Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala.

A total of 780 companies and 160 municipalities or joint municipal authorities joined the Energy Efficiency Agreements for the years 2017–2025. Their energy use accounted for nearly 60 per cent of Finland’s total energy consumption. The participants invested over EUR 2.1 billion in 34,500 energy efficiency measures. The government supported these measures by granting nearly EUR 170 million in energy aid for investments during the agreement period. The measures reduced Finland’s annual carbon dioxide emissions by as much as four million tonnes. 

Energy efficiency is a key element in Finland’s energy and climate work