At the European Energy Framework and Business Opportunities for Finland seminar during EnergyWeek 2025, speakers from government, research, and industry explored Finland’s role in Europe’s evolving energy landscape.
With global competition intensifying and EU policies reshaping the market, the conversation revolved around one key question: How can Finland leverage its strengths to stay ahead?
The discussions underscored that while policies and funding mechanisms exist, it is ultimately businesses that must drive the transformation. Helena Sarén, Head of Zero Carbon Future Mission at Business Finland, opened the event by emphasizing this balance. “Presenters here represent the landscape of public players supporting, but the companies make the business,” she said, urging Finnish businesses to take an active role in shaping their future.
Navigating policies, funding, and global competition
For Timo Ritonummi, Deputy Director General at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (TEM), the discussion was familiar. Having worked with the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan since 2012, he has seen how industry and research must collaborate to unlock funding and innovation. Programs like Horizon Europe and CINEA offer opportunities, but competition is fierce—projects are rated on points, making strategic alignment crucial.
Business Finland was praised for its strong customer support in helping companies tap into these EU funding streams. But the broader regulatory environment remains complex. Timo pointed out that the previous EU Commission had created a “tsunami” of directives and regulations, making implementation slow and difficult. Still, he expressed optimism that the new Commission will focus on simplifying processes, with maritime, aviation, and clean industry at the heart of its agenda.
The battle for net-zero leadership
Competition in the net-zero industry is intensifying, and Jyrki Alkio, Head of the Industrial Policy Unit at TEM, spoke frankly about where Finland and the EU stand. “We are in a world where we are competing for raw materials and net-zero technology,” he said, stressing that the EU needs both independence and resilience to build its own production capacity. The goal is to manufacture 40% of key net-zero technologies annually, but Europe remains a minor player compared to China, which dominates the sector.
There is, however, one bright spot: wind power, where Finland holds a strong position. But for other key sectors, such as battery production, expectations have not met reality. “From a Finnish perspective, battery development is the most relevant, but it has not evolved as fast as we expected five years ago,” Jyrki admitted. If Finland wants to stay in the game, government action will be required.
Building Networks, Shaping Markets
Collaboration at the EU level was a recurring theme throughout the seminar. Tuula Mäkinen, Lead of Green Electrification at VTT, explained the role of European cooperation initiatives such as EERA (European Energy Research Alliance) and ETIP (European Technology and Innovation Platform), which help promote innovation and competitiveness. Engaging in these networks isn’t just about securing funding—it’s also a way to influence EU decision-making, share Finnish expertise, and shape emerging markets.
Jussi Åkerberg, Head of the Flexible Energy Systems Program at Business Finland, described how the program has been running for six months, encouraging companies to take advantage of Business Finland’s support. While EU instruments can provide major funding, he acknowledged that they require strategic commitment—applying for and managing EU projects takes time, reporting, and effort. That’s where Business Finland’s advisory team comes in, helping companies navigate the process.
Industry perspectives: The reality for Finnish companies
The seminar also included a panel discussion where industry representatives reflected on Finland’s position in the European energy transition. Annukka Saari from Teknologiateollisuus ry pointed out that while EU strategies create a framework, what businesses truly need is long-term policy stability and financial support to make investments viable.
Jutta Jussila, CEO of CLIC Innovation, stressed that Finland must be more proactive in European market discussions. “We need to bring our know-how into the EU arena,” she said, arguing that Finland should not merely follow EU decisions but actively shape them.
Tommi Eronen, CEO of Polar Night Energy, reflected on how Finnish startups benefit from free education and strong university support. However, he also made a clear statement about resource use: “We should stop the madness of burning our forests,” he said, highlighting the need for more sustainable long-term strategies.
Michael Bogomolec, Director of Operations Development at IONCOR, questioned the real sustainability of Europe’s current energy transition. “It could be a lot more reinforced—our knowledge—but it’s still a question about money,” he said. China dominates the supply chain for net-zero technology, raising the question: how green is it really when all the parts come from China? He pointed to Finland’s potential to develop a full battery value chain but stressed that without significant investment, that potential will remain untapped. He also noted that Scandinavian pragmatism is a competitive advantage, even if Finns don’t always recognize it.
Annukka Saari added to the the discussion by reinforcing the need to communicate Finland’s strengths more clearly. “We need to innovate and collaborate more. Finland is clean, stable, with a reliable energy grid and lots of space to build. These are major advantages,” she said.
Finland’s path forward
The seminar made one thing clear: Finland has opportunities but realizing them requires strategic action. EU policies and funding mechanisms offer support, but success will depend on how well Finnish businesses engage with these opportunities. More collaboration, investment, and innovation are needed—not just within Finland but across European networks.
The energy transition is already underway. Whether Finland will be a leader or a follower will depend on the choices made today.
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