- For the first time, Finland generated over 50% of its electricity from wind power, aided by strong winds and expanded turbine capacity.
- Finland’s nuclear and hydro plants reduced output as wind energy surged, reflecting the country’s growing reliance on renewables.
- Finland plans to expand wind energy capacity further to meet clean energy goals and stabilise the grid during peak demand.
Finland has achieved a significant milestone by generating over half of its electricity from wind energy for the first time. Strong winds and increased turbine capacity helped wind energy surpass other sources this past weekend, according to Fingrid, the national grid operator.
Around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, wind turbines produced an average of 6.47 gigawatts every 15 minutes, setting a new country record. Heini Kanerva, a spokesperson for Fingrid, credited strong autumn winds and an expanding wind energy infrastructure for this achievement.
Finland now operates over 1,600 wind turbines with a combined capacity of over seven gigawatts. Recent investments in wind farms have boosted this capacity, reflecting Finland’s commitment to diversifying its energy mix.
In response to the wind energy surge, Finland’s nuclear and hydroelectric plants temporarily reduced their output. Although nuclear energy traditionally dominates Finland’s electricity supply, wind energy continues to grow its share. Fingrid anticipated this shift due to ongoing investments in wind power and favourable weather conditions.
Finland has ramped up wind energy as part of its strategy to meet ambitious clean energy goals. The Finnish Energy Agency expects the number of wind farms to keep rising, backed by public and private sector funding. This push aligns with Finland’s plan to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and meet European climate commitments.
Increased wind energy production also addresses the country’s rising electricity demand, especially during winter when energy use peaks. Fingrid estimates wind power will help stabilise the grid by providing a consistent renewable energy source.
Finland’s success mirrors a broader European trend of expanding wind energy. Other nations have also increased wind power production, helping to lower CO₂ emissions. However, managing fluctuations in wind energy requires careful grid balancing. Fingrid had to adjust nuclear and hydroelectric output to accommodate the surge, underscoring the importance of flexible energy systems.
With this milestone, Finland continues strengthening its energy grid and advancing its transition to a cleaner future.