A project based in Finland’s North Karelia region has improved the uptake of renewable energy by local municipalities and businesses. The work builds on the region’s membership of the Finnish Carbon Neutral Municipalities Network (HINKU), which aims for an 80 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Bringing low-carbon energy solutions to North Karelia, Finland
- 21 February 2019
The implementation of the regional climate and energy targets requires long-term cooperation with municipalities and other stakeholder groups. It has been an inspiring process to develop pathways for carbon neutrality, especially when you see organisations and people focus on reaching these ambitious targets together.
The project tested new ways to encourage SMEs and public bodies to use clean technologies and renewable energy sources. A network was established to share information and swap good practices. The project team assessed energy-saving options for properties owned by businesses and local authorities.
Purchasing green technologies
The project planned and organised a joint purchase of solar power units which involved residents of North Karelian HINKU-municipalities and private companies.A total of 250 people participated in five information events to learn more about the benefits of solar power and the buying scheme. The discussions led to the installation of 41 solar power units capable of producing a total 142 kWp of energy. Their roll-out is helping to reduce the region’s reliance on fossil fuel supplies. Other Finnish regions are now adopting the project’s joint purchasing concept.
In addition, the project analysed the energy consumption of 80 properties owned by North Karelia’s local authorities and businesses. The information was used to provide economically sound investment suggestions which, if implemented, could produce total energy savings of up to 2 000 MWh annually.
Roadmap for a fossil-fuel free future
Another key project output was the development of a ‘Roadmap Towards an Oil-Free and Low-Carbon North Karelia 2040’. This is a plan to implement the region’s climate and energy programme, covering sectors such as energy use, transport, housing and the bioeconomy. A total of 54 different organisations – including SMEs, local authorities, research centres and NGOs – attended six project workshops to examine ways of implementing the roadmap.
The project’s activities have helped begin transforming North Karelia into a region free from fossil fuel oil that is self-sufficient in renewable-energy production. They have stimulated demand for and supply of new and innovative clean-tech products, solutions and methods through public procurements carried out by local municipalities.
Moreover, all the project’s ideas and actions aimed at increasing energy efficiency and using renewable energy sources have been collected and transferred to interested parties through regional, national and international networks. Events and campaigns run through the project helped increase awareness about renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and low-carbon solutions among local residents, businesses, the NGO sector and municipalities.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “North Karelia Towards Oil-Free & Low-Carbon Region” is EUR 655 015, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 458 511 through the “Sustainable Job and Growth” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Low-carbon economy”.