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CHAPTER 12
Finnish Energy Policy in Transition
Eva Heiskanen, Senja Laakso
and Kaisa Matschoss
Abstract In Finland, energy policy is in transition towards integrating
energy projects in broader sustainability, liveability and innovation contexts. While energy saving has been pursued for decades, it is now part of
a broader tendency in urban planning to promote sustainable lifestyles.
Transition manifests in local actors’ redistribution of power, challenging
conventional ways of infrastructure development, forging new networks,
and seeking novel solutions. The experimental case presented in the chapter, Smart Kalasatama, shows that local governments are close to citizens
and, therefore, can influence the conditions for sustainable consumption
and quality of life. Although they have an important role in energy policy,
they still might lack the resources, expertise and the power to innovate, to
evaluate projects, and in particular, to scale up innovative practices.
© The Author(s) 2019
F. Fahy et al. (eds.), Energy Demand Challenges in Europe,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20339-9_12
E. Heiskanen (*) · S. Laakso · K. Matschoss
Centre for Consumer Society Research,
University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
e-mail: eva.heiskanen@helsinki.fi
S. Laakso
e-mail: senja.laakso@helsinki.fi
K. Matschoss
e-mail: kaisa.matschoss@helsinki.fi
CHAPTER 12
Finnish Energy Policy in Transition
Eva Heiskanen, Senja Laakso
and Kaisa Matschoss
Abstract In Finland, energy policy is in transition towards integrating
energy projects in broader sustainability, liveability and innovation contexts. While energy saving has been pursued for decades, it is now part of
a broader tendency in urban planning to promote sustainable lifestyles.
Transition manifests in local actors’ redistribution of power, challenging
conventional ways of infrastructure development, forging new networks,
and seeking novel solutions. The experimental case presented in the chapter, Smart Kalasatama, shows that local governments are close to citizens
and, therefore, can influence the conditions for sustainable consumption
and quality of life. Although they have an important role in energy policy,
they still might lack the resources, expertise and the power to innovate, to
evaluate projects, and in particular, to scale up innovative practices.
© The Author(s) 2019
F. Fahy et al. (eds.), Energy Demand Challenges in Europe,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20339-9_12
E. Heiskanen (*) · S. Laakso · K. Matschoss
Centre for Consumer Society Research,
University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
e-mail: eva.heiskanen@helsinki.fi
S. Laakso
e-mail: senja.laakso@helsinki.fi
K. Matschoss
e-mail: kaisa.matschoss@helsinki.fi