While the U.S. still relies on coal for about a third of its energy mix, Finland is on its way to phasing out coal-generated power completely.

The Finnish Parliament is considering a new climate and energy strategy. It includes a recommendation that coal-fired power be ended by the year 2030.

Huttunen: “The main motivation, of course, is to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions.”

That’s Riku Huttunen, Director General of the Finnish Energy Department. He says Finland’s coal use is already declining as the nation transitions to more electricity from nuclear power and wood biomass.

Today, coal provides less than eight percent of the country’s energy mix, and the downward trend is likely to continue as Finland increases its investments in nuclear and clean energy.

But eliminating coal completely will be a challenge. So Finland plans to use tax strategies to further reduce its use. The country is even considering placing a legal ban on producing energy from coal. If enacted, Finland would become the first country to legally prohibit the use of coal for electricity. But ban or no ban, Huttunen is confident.

Huttunen: “We are very fast moving towards a renewable energy economy.”

Reporting credit: ChavoBart Digital Media.