A sustainable energy transition strengthens Finland’s security and supports the achievement of climate goals

In the joint Clean Energy System Transition (REPower-CEST) project carried out by Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and VTT, an extensive knowledge base and a roadmap for a sustainable energy transition addressed to Finnish society have been produced. The research data, developed through collaboration between nearly 300 experts, helps identify the benefits and drawbacks associated with the energy transition, ensure fairness and minimise harmful impacts.

A fair and sustainable transition

In recent years, the global geopolitical situation has caused disruptions in the production and transport chains of fossil fuels, as well as significant spikes in oil and natural gas prices. At the same time, worsening climate change and biodiversity loss are creating new risks for Finland’s energy system. It is important to seek ways to manage these risks.

Implementing a sustainable energy transition requires consideration not only of the functionality of the energy system, but also of many other perspectives: climate and environmental objectives, the availability of critical raw materials, economic and employment impacts, as well as energy security and fairness.

“Achieving all sustainability objectives of the energy transition simultaneously is extremely challenging. Different objectives, such as minimising climate and biodiversity impacts alongside economic and social effects, therefore need to be reconciled in an acceptable way. This can be promoted through evidence-based political decision-making,” says Sampo Soimakallio, Development Manager at Syke.

New technologies and material needs

 The transition is not only about the energy system itself but is also broadly connected to many sectors of society.

“Energy production will become emission-free within the coming years, but sectors that consume energy, such as transport and industry, must also reduce their emissions at a rapid pace. The energy system must be flexible, place as little burden on the environment as possible, and be fair to citizens and businesses alike,” says Tiina Koljonen, Principal Scientist at VTT.

One of the key characteristics of the energy transition is the shift from dependence on fuels to dependence on materials. The transition should be built on the sustainable production and efficient recycling of mineral raw materials. Raw materials are needed for energy production and storage technologies as well as electricity transmission. Their production and processing are globally concentrated, making supply chains vulnerable to geopolitical changes.

“In the future, increasing pressure to expand raw material production will also be directed more strongly towards the EU and Finland. The energy transition offers companies new opportunities to utilise domestic raw material resources and promote the circular economy. In addition, information management concerning bedrock and extractive waste raw materials supports Finland’s ability to respond to the growing need for raw material self-sufficiency,” says Mari Kivinen, Senior Scientist at  GTK.

The project results support Finland in implementing a sustainable energy transition.

“A sustainable energy transition requires successful international cooperation, the commitment and participation of Finnish society as a whole, and the implementation of sustainability principles in decision-making throughout society,” says Soimakallio.

• Read the full report and roadmap here: Transition to a sustainable energy system : Roadmap and synthesis report
• Read more about the project: Clean Energy System Transition (REPower-CEST)

Roadmap for a sustainable energy transition

Development manager Sampo Soimakallio, Finnish Environment Institute. Tel. +358 29 525 1803, firstname.lastname@syke.fi

Medium term and long-term scenarios (Keito)

Principal scientist Tiina Koljonen, VTT. Tel. +358 50 3599 549 firstname.lastname@vtt.fi

Raw materials in the energy transition

Senior scientist Mari Kivinen, GTK, Tel. +358 29 503 2414, firstname.lastname@gtk.fi (Media service at GTK: viestinta@gtk.fi )

Communication

Communication specialist Saara Sivonen, Finnish Environment institute. Tel. +358 29 525 1082, firstname.lastname@syke.fi

Funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the Commission can be held responsible for them.