Finland’s Climate and Environment Minister Kai Mikkanen on Thursday advocated the exchange of clean energy technologies and expertise, including renewable energy and nuclear waste management, with Turkije, highlighting his country’s reach in the clean energy sector.
Mikkanen told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Finland could provide support to Turkiye, given Finland’s 40 years of pioneering experience in the field of nuclear energy and Research and development (R&D) cooperation was proposed based on Finland’s goal of becoming a hub.
“With the recent commissioning of the Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant, Finland has significantly increased the share of nuclear power in its total electricity generation, reaching over 40% of total electricity generation. This initiative will strengthen Finland’s energy security. “Not only does it play an important role in achieving ambitious climate change targets,” he explained, “because more than 90% of Finland’s electricity production is fossil fuel-free.”
The minister said the energy crisis of recent years has shown the importance of nuclear energy in providing affordable, clean and stable energy.
He said that Finland needs more nuclear power and to this end, to reflect Finland’s advanced and adaptable strategy and promote the construction of small modular reactors (SMRs). announced plans to revise the country’s nuclear energy law by 2026. The public’s approval rate for nuclear power is nearly 70%.
“Finland is already a pioneer in renewable and nuclear energy, and I believe that in the future we have great opportunities to become a global leader in clean energy,” Mikkanen said.
“Trade, imports and exports between Turkije’s strong energy-intensive industry and Finnish industry can be increased. In addition, this could also provide opportunities for future cooperation through mutual forums within the scope of research and development cooperation. “There is,” he added.
Mikkanen said that in addition to nuclear energy, Finland is also actively expanding wind power.
“The share of renewable energy in the energy mix has already exceeded that of fossil energy. Our electricity production is already more than 90% non-fossil and emissions-free,” he said.
The Finnish government has set ambitious targets to add offshore wind capacity by 2035, with huge investment potential.
“We have also moved towards self-sufficiency in terms of annual electricity demand. By 2023, this proportion was already almost 98%,” he said.
He explained that Finland has been able to quickly and successfully wean itself off of Russian energy since February 2022, and this has been made possible by a sufficient level of preparedness, consistent action and ensuring a broad energy mix.
He said Western supply chains had been found to replace electricity and nuclear fuel, and only a small supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) was imported from Russia.
Finland’s energy system proved its resilience last year, as Finland successfully phased out Russia’s fossil energy supplies after the 2022 energy crisis.
“We have diversified energy supply routes and significantly increased domestic power generation capacity. Electricity imports from Russia have been replaced by the Olkiluoto III nuclear power plant and wind power,” he said.
Average spot market electricity prices are also falling, ranking as the second lowest among EU member states, although electricity prices have fluctuated due to increased wind power generation.
The lease of Inko’s floating LNG terminal ship, which began operations in January last year, will allow Finland to move away from its dependence on Russian pipeline gas, and will allow Finland to open a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia in October 2023. This proved successful when the line connection was damaged.