Energy audit operations
The purpose of energy audits is to analyse the energy use of the audited site, identify energy-saving potential and present cost-effective measures to improve energy efficiency.
In Finland, energy audit activities are divided into two categories:
- voluntary, subsidised energy audits
- mandatory enterprise energy audits required under the Energy Efficiency Act
Energy audits by municipalities, parishes and enterprises below the consumption threshold are subsidised
Voluntary, subsidised energy audits are comprehensive site-specific surveys of energy use and energy-saving opportunities, carried out and reported in accordance with separate guidelines.
Motiva is responsible for all practical tasks related to subsidised audits, including guidance, monitoring, development, quality control, and the training and advice of energy auditors.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment subsidises voluntary energy audits carried out by enterprises and foundations whose annual final energy consumption is less than 2,700 MWh. Subsidies are also available for voluntary energy audits carried out by municipalities, joint municipal authorities and parishes. A condition for granting energy aid is that the energy audit is carried out in accordance with the applicable models and implementation guidelines.
Read more on Motiva’s website.
Energy audits are mandatory for enterprises consuming 2,700–23,600 MWh
The Energy Efficiency Act requires enterprises whose annual final energy consumption exceeds 2,700 MWh, calculated as the average of the three preceding calendar years, to carry out an enterprise energy audit every four years. Before the update to the Energy Efficiency Act that entered into force on 1 January 2026, this obligation applied to large enterprises. Under the Act currently in force, however, the obligation is determined solely on the basis of final energy consumption, regardless of the size of the enterprise. An enterprise energy audit examines the energy consumption profile of all sites belonging to the enterprise or group and identifies opportunities for energy savings by carrying out site-specific audits at individual sites. These audits provide detailed information on the site’s energy consumption and on energy efficiency measures suitable for the site. No audit subsidy is available for mandatory energy audits carried out by enterprises.
Mandatory energy audits for enterprises are administered and implemented by the Energy Authority.
If an enterprise’s final energy consumption averages more than 23,600 MWh per year, the enterprise falls within the scope of the obligation to implement an energy management system.
Mandatory energy management systems for enterprises consuming more than 23,600 MWh
The Energy Efficiency Act requires enterprises whose annual final energy consumption exceeds 23,600 MWh, calculated as the average of the three preceding calendar years, to implement a certified energy management system. This is an entirely new obligation introduced in the Act updated on 1 January 2026. Enterprises that fall within the scope of the obligation must implement a certified energy management system by 11 October 2027 at the latest.
Acceptable systems include at least a certified ISO 50001 system and the certified ETJ+ system, which is used as a national energy efficiency system.
The statutory obligation applies to enterprises whose average annual final energy consumption exceeded 23,600 MWh during the three preceding calendar years, meaning that final energy consumption is calculated based on the average for the three preceding calendar years.