Working group to explore possibilities to promote energy sector integration
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has appointed a working group on energy sector integration tasked with presenting concrete solutions on how to promote sector integration. The working group’s term runs from 1 August 2020 to 30 June 2021. It will submit a mid-term report on 1 February 2021 and a final report on 30 June 2021.
The working group will explore the need for different forms of energy and the opportunities they offer for sector integration, and identify any obstacles to integration. It will also assess the possibilities of promoting the hydrogen economy and Power-to-X solutions. In its work, the group must be cognisant of the ongoing developments in sector integration and the hydrogen economy in the EU.
Measures proposed by the working group must contribute to the objective of achieving climate neutrality in Finland by 2035, as set out in the Government Programme, and improve Finland’s competitiveness. Furthermore, measures proposed by the working group are intended to drive the implementation of sectoral low-carbon roadmaps.
Climate neutrality requires the use of clean energy across all sectors of the economy. Sector integration creates new interlinkages between sectors, energy carriers, infrastructures and technologies. Clean electricity plays a key role in sector integration. Sector integration also includes new ways of producing and using hydrogen, utilising carbon dioxide in the manufacture of products, and new clean energy solutions for the bio-economy and circular economy.
Three expert groups consisting of stakeholders to support the working group
The chair of the working group is Juho Korteniemi and vice-chair Elina Hautakangas, both from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The other members of the working group are Riikka Siljander (deputy member Pekka Kalliomäki) from the Ministry of the Environment, Johanna von Knorring from the Ministry of Finance, Maria Holmi from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Heikki Granholm (deputy member Tatu Liimatainen) from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and Tatu Pahkala, Petri Hirvonen and Jyrki Alkio from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. The group's expert secretary is Kari Mäki from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.
Three expert groups representing key stakeholders are invited to assist the working group in the initial phase. The expert groups represent the following themes: 1) energy system integration, 2) sector integration in the industry, and 3) sector integration in cities and regions. The expert groups will work in close cooperation with the working group on sector integration and other expert groups.
In their work, the expert groups are to pay special attention to the low carbon roadmaps of different industries and, where necessary, consult the authors of the roadmaps. They are also required to consult companies specialising in sector integration as well as other relevant organisations.
Inquiries:
Juho Korteniemi, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7054
Elina Hautakangas, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7208