The government and different sectors have negotiated new Energy Efficiency Agreements for the period of 2026–2035. The agreements cover business and industry, the property sector and the public sector. They play a key role in fulfilling the binding obligations of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive. Joining the new agreement period will begin in October 2025.
Over the years, voluntary Energy Efficiency Agreements have turned out to be an effective way to improve energy efficiency in Finland. The agreements promote Finland’s competitiveness by using a procedure that resembles norms in its effects and by energy saving methods that can implemented flexibly. The voluntary agreements continue to be the choice of the government and sectors in Finland for fulfilling the EU’s binding energy efficiency obligations.
Energy Efficiency Agreements have been the primary means of promoting the efficient use of energy in Finland. The voluntary agreements between the government and sectors are their selected method for meeting Finland’s energy efficiency obligations together. The agreements will continue to be the cornerstone of Finland’s efficiency measures during the agreement period of 2026–2035. Over the years, energy efficiency agreements have helped Finland to exceed the binding energy saving obligations set out in the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive.
Agreements play a major role in meeting EU obligations
Agreements have a central role in the implementation of Article 8 of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the efforts to meet the nationally binding energy saving obligation for final energy consumption.
Energy Efficiency Agreements also support the implementation of the “Energy Efficiency First” principle and several other national obligations set out in the Directive. Moreover, the agreements contribute to the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Another goal of the agreements is to provide significant help to the EU in its aim to meet the primary and final energy consumption targets by 2030.
Success of agreements requires large and effective participation
The Directive can be implemented successfully if the coverage and effectiveness of the Energy Efficiency Agreements remain as high as before also in the new period of 2026–2035. In order to meet the strict, nationally binding targets, it is essential that the agreements continue seamlessly from the beginning of 2026 and energy savings are achieved right from the beginning of the period.
Agreements improve energy efficiency flexibly and through encouragement
The fourth agreement period negotiated for 2026–2035 provides companies and public sector operators a flexible and cost-effective way to promote energy efficiency based on their own premises and needs in the long term. In addition, those joining the agreement may also benefit from state aid and less stringent statutory obligations.
Joining the new agreement period will be possible from October 2025 after the government and trade associations have signed sector-specific agreements.
Voluntary agreement system produces results
A total of 780 companies and their over 7,600 places of business and 164 municipalities and joint municipal authorities joined the Energy Efficiency Agreements for the years 2017–2025. Their energy use accounts for nearly 60 per cent of Finland’s total energy consumption.
Between 2017 and 2023, the participants introduced more than 27,000 measures to improve energy efficiency, thereby saving 14.8 TWh of energy per year. At the same time, they have invested more than EUR 1.5 billion in energy efficiency. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has granted a total of EUR 145 million for these investments.
Inquiries:
Pia Kotro, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, [email protected], tel. +358 29 504 7229
Tiina Sekki, Senior Engineer, Energy Authority, tel. +358 295 050 200
Ulla Suomi, Director, Motiva Oy, tel. +358 9 6122 5042 09 6122 5042
More information about the Energy Efficiency Agreements for the new period 2026–2035
Results of the previous period 2017–2025
