Agreements in Finland 2017-2025
Participants in the Energy Efficiency Agreements 2017–2025
Companies
Sites
Municipalities and joint municipalities
Four agreements for 2017–2025
Four energy efficiency agreements were in effect from 2017 to 2025, aimed at improving energy efficiency across the business sector, the property sector, the municipal sector, and properties heated by oil.
The aim of the agreements is to guide actors in various sectors toward continuously improving energy efficiency. During the 2017–2025 period, participants set indicative targets for the end of the term and committed to implementing measures to achieve their specific quantitative energy-saving goals.
Agreements covered nearly 60% of Finland’s energy consumption
A total of approximately 780 companies and their nearly 7,600 sites, as well as more than 160 municipalities and joint municipal authorities, had committed to the Energy Efficiency Agreements and their targets. The participants’ energy use accounted for approximately 60% of Finland’s total energy use (355 TWh in 2025).
Broad coverage of Finland’s total energy consumption by the agreements is a prerequisite for their effectiveness. Significant results are achieved when a large number of major energy users commit to improving their energy efficiency and resolutely implement energy efficiency measures over the long term.
Vital part of Finland’s energy and climate strategy
Energy efficiency agreements are a vital part of Finland’s energy and climate strategy and the primary means of promoting the efficient use of energy in the country.
Our mechanism to fulfil EU energy efficiency obligations
Energy Efficiency Agreements are a mechanism jointly selected by the Government and participating sectors to fulfil EU energy efficiency obligations through a flexible and goal-oriented operating model that is monitored annually and complements legislation.
EU energy efficiency targets tightened during the 2017–2025 agreement period
The European Green Deal, published in 2019, made energy efficiency a central element of the transformation of the EU’s energy system. Its objectives were implemented through the “Fit for 55” package published in 2021, which also initiated the revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive. The EU aimed to reduce energy consumption, tighten energy-saving obligations, and apply the “energy efficiency first” principle.
In the wake of the 2022 energy crisis, the EU’s REPowerEU plan further accelerated measures to improve energy efficiency and reinforced the role of energy efficiency in the transformation of the energy system.
Towards the end of the period, in 2023, the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) were revised. These revisions tightened targets and nationally binding obligations while strengthening the “energy efficiency first” principle.
In response to stricter EU regulations, Finland revised its Energy Efficiency Act, which entered into force at the beginning of 2026. Energy efficiency agreements remained a vital part of the energy and climate strategy, as well as a key, flexible tool for implementing the obligations of the revised Energy Efficiency Directive and achieving national energy-saving targets.
On a voluntary basis since 1997
Energy use has been improved on a voluntary basis in companies and municipalities for years. Since the 1990s, energy efficiency agreements have been the primary means in Finland of improving energy efficiency and meeting the EU’s strict obligations regarding more efficient energy use.
Significant results through a market-driven approach
“The Energy Efficiency Agreements are an excellent example of how voluntary, market-driven approaches can deliver significant results. Companies have developed their operations systematically over the long term in a way that supports competitiveness, electrification and the clean transition at the same time.”
An effective way to improve energy efficiency
“The Energy Efficiency Agreements have provided the forest industry with an effective way to improve energy efficiency. The energy savings achieved during the agreement period are concrete evidence of this. The model, based on voluntary cooperation, gives companies the flexibility to improve their energy efficiency in ways best suited to their operations, without compromising the target.”
Long-term efforts create strategic competitive advantage
“Finland has a long history of working to improve energy efficiency, and the property sector has been one of the frontrunners. The sector has achieved significant results through voluntary measures, demonstrating that investing in energy efficiency creates opportunities. At the same time, environmental responsibility has become a strategic competitive advantage for many organisations.”
Achieving shared goals flexibly and efficiently
“The Energy Efficiency Agreements are an excellent example of how a voluntary agreement scheme can deliver concrete results. Companies have the flexibility to find the solutions best suited to their own operations, while shared energy efficiency targets are achieved efficiently.”
Compelling evidence that voluntary action delivers results
“An increasing amount of EU legislation affects municipalities, and it is important that the means of implementing it can be determined at national level. The Energy Efficiency Agreements provide compelling evidence that a voluntary approach delivers results also in the municipal sector: the targets for 2017–2025 were even exceeded. This provides a strong foundation for continuing the work in the new agreement period 2026–2035.”
