Finland clearly exceeded its binding energy saving obligation set on the basis of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive in 2014–2020 as by the end of 2020, the total energy savings achieved exceeded the national obligation by more than 85%, said Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on Friday.
The Ministry announced that all other energy saving targets set for Finland were also achieved.
The cumulative energy saving obligation of 49 terawatt hours (TWh) imposed on Finland in accordance with EU obligations for 2014–2020 required new energy savings of approximately 1.75 TWh each year.
However, thanks to the significant excess in savings, the obligation that was very challenging for many EU Member States was achieved in Finland two years ahead of schedule.
Finland was also able to remain well below the indicative maximum limit of 310 terawatt hours set in the Energy Efficiency Directive for final energy consumption, and similarly below the target set for primary energy. With savings of 18 gigawatt hours, Finland was also able to outperform the energy savings requirement of eight gigawatt hours set for central government buildings.
'Energy efficiency agreements have once again proven that they are a genuinely effective way of promoting energy savings in municipalities and companies. In Finland, this voluntary procedure is effective and produces excellent results that exceed the targets. This is why agreements are also included in the future climate and energy strategy as one of the key approaches for improving the efficiency of energy use in Finland,' said Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintila.
“Finland is number one in many areas, including this one. We are one of the few EU countries where the voluntary agreement procedure works and produces good results. Energy efficiency does not just appear out of thin air; it takes determined action and the right tools. We are clearly on the right track here,' Lintila said.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr