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

Preliminary Energy Statistics 2009 - Tables (Excel) (24.3.2010)
Table 01. Total Energy Consumption by Source (Excel) (24.3.2010)
Table 02. Supplies and Total Consumption of Electricity (Excel) (24.3.2010)
Table 03. Energy Imports by Country of Origin in 2009 (Excel) (24.3.2010)
Table 04. Energy Exports by Recipient Country in 2009 (Excel) (24.3.2010)
Table 05. Consumer Prices of Liquid Fuels (Excel) (24.3.2010)
Table 06. Consumer Prices of Hard Coal, Natural Gas and Domestic Fuels in Heat Production (Excel) (24.3.2010)
Table 07. Price of Natural Gas by Type of Consumer (Excel) (24.3.2010)
Table 08. Price of Electricity by Type of Consumer (Excel) (24.3.2010)
Table 09. Price of District Heating by Type of Consumer (Excel) (24.3.2010)
Table 10. Excise Taxes, Value Added Taxes and Fiscal Charges and Fees Included in Consumer Prices of Some Energy Sources (Excel) (24.3.2010)
Table 11. Energy Taxes, Precautionary Stock Fees and Oil Pollution Fees (Excel) (24.3.2010)

Figures

Electricity Consumption by Sector 1970-2009* (24.3.2010)
Electricity Generation Capacity in Peak Load Period (24.3.2010)
Electricity consumption by sector 2009* (24.3.2010)
Electricity supply 1970-2009* (24.3.2010)
Energy and Electricity Intensity 1970-2009* (24.3.2010)
Figure 01. Changes in GDP, Final energy consumption and electricity consumption 1995-, % (24.3.2010)
Figure 02. Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and peat use 1990-, Mt (24.3.2010)
Figure 03. Coal consumption 1993-, mill. t (24.3.2010)
Figure 04. Consumption of natural gas 1993-, bn m3 (24.3.2010)
Figure 05. Peat consumption 1993-, TWh (24.3.2010)
Figure 06. Domestic oil deliveries 1993-, mill. t (24.3.2010)
Figure 07. Import prices of oil 1997-, /t (24.3.2010)
Figure 08. Consumer prices of principal oil products 1995-, c/l (24.3.2010)
Figure 09. Fuel Prices in Heat Production 1995-, /MWh (24.3.2010)
Figure 10. Fuel prices in electricity production 1995-, /MWh (24.3.2010)
Figure 11. Price of electricity by type of consumer 1994-, c/kWh (24.3.2010)
Figure 12. Average monthly spotprices at the Nord Pool power exchange 1998-, /MWh (24.3.2010)
Finland's Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2009* (24.3.2010)
Imports and Exports of Electricity 1990-2009 (24.3.2010)
Production of District Heat 1970-2009* (24.3.2010)
Share of Renewables 2009* (24.3.2010)
Total Energy Consumption 1970-2009* (24.3.2010)
Total Energy Consumption 2007-2009 (24.3.2010)
Total Energy Consumption 2009* (24.3.2010)

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: 22.12.2024].
Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/ehkh/2009/04/ehkh_2009_04_2010-03-24_tie_001_en.html