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Overview
In Finland, the production of heat from renewable energies is subsidised through various support schemes and investment aids.
The main measure, through which heat produced from RES is promoted is a “heat bonus” allocated to CHP plants working on biogas and wood fuel. In addition to that, various investment supports are made available.The Finnish target is to increase the share of RES-H from the current 54% to 61% out of total consumption (NECP Finland, 2019).
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Summary of support schemes
- The subsidy “heat bonus” is paid to heat-generating plants burning biogas and wood-based biomass.
- A grant called Investment aid is available for the construction of some RES-H installations using renewable energy sources.
- Investment support is available for farmers to financially support the construction of heat plants working on renewable energy sources.
- Support for replacement of oil heating systems are being phased out with government support. There are two subsidy schemes available for the owners of private detached houses and municipality-owned buildings.
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Competent authorities
- Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
- Business Finland
- Ely-keskus
- ARA
- Ely-keskus of the Pirkanmaa region
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Summary
Based on the latest NECP from 2019, Finland is planning to increase its RES-E consumption from the current 41% to 53% by 2030. In the heating sector, the share of RES will rise from 54% to 61%. As the share of onshore wind will more than double in the next 10 years (from 8% to 18% of consumption), it is relevant to cover onshore wind as one of the technologies in this section.
The need for heating is considerably higher in Finland than in many other EU member states due to the state’s Northern location. This section will also cover two RES-H technologies: geothermal and industrial-sized aerothermal and hydrothermal heat pumps. They do not yet constitute a significant share of the Finnish RES-H mix, but they are included due to their experimental nature and scalability potential. The most common RES-H technology, biomass, is not projected to increase in importance in the next decade and its permitting framework is established and rather unproblematic, which is why it is not relevant to be included.
This section covers the permitting and authorization process for the following RES technologies: onshore wind, geothermal and ambient heat. -
Sequential order of process steps
1. Site selection
2. Administrative authorization
3. Grid connection
4. Corporate legal-fiscal -
Competent authorities
- Finnish Defence Forces
- Ely-keskus
- Municipalities
- Regional State Administrative Agency
- Traficom
- DSO’s
