Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä (Cen) said on Monday that Finland will survive this winter, even though energy imports from Russia will be restricted.
He spoke before an afternoon meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels to discuss the implications and countermeasures of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ministers will discuss the state of preparedness in the energy sector and possible emergency measures and means to assist Ukraine. The European Commission is due to propose possible additional measures to secure energy supplies across the continent next winter.
Possible financial support for Ukrainian energy
In his statement, Lintilä commented on requests to help the Ukrainian energy sector, which has been attacked by Russia.
"Due to its remote location, Finland cannot participate in subsidies in the form of direct energy supplies, but Finland’s future financial support could also be directed to energy procurement," he said.
The Minister of Economy also commented on a possible cut-off of fossil gas and electricity in Russia. Although Finland has reduced its dependence on Russian energy, it still forms a significant part of the country’s energy supply.
Temperatures could remain below freezing in much of Finland for months, but Lintilä did not anticipate an immediate energy shortage. He said that Finland will survive the end of the winter, even if Russia restricts energy supplies.
“We’ll survive this winter”
"Finland’s own energy supply has operated reliably throughout the winter, although rising energy prices have harmed consumers and other users. I believe that we will survive this winter without major problems in terms of security of supply, even if Russia imposes restrictions on the import of gas or electricity. Gas accounts for only about five percent of primary energy consumption in Finland." Lintilä pointed out.
"In the event of an energy supply disruption and in order to meet international obligations, stocks of imported fuel will be maintained at around five months’ normal consumption," he added.
On Thursday, Lintilä rejected plans to build a Russian Fennovoima nuclear power plant in Hanhikive in northern Finland.
Source: The Nordic Page