State and sectors reach agreement on energy efficiency for 2026–2035 – 169 businesses and associations immediately join

The state and sectors have signed new Energy Efficiency Agreements for 2026–2035. Upon signing the agreements, 169 organisations committed themselves to efficient energy use. Once again, the objective is to have 60 per cent of Finland’s total energy use under the voluntary agreements.

The fourth Energy Efficiency Agreement period begins in 2026, covering various sectors of business, the real estate industry, and the public sector. Among those who immediately joined the agreements are 111 companies from various sectors of business, 35 facility and rental housing communities, and 23 public sector organisations. 

"The Finnish voluntary agreement model has proven to be effective. Energy efficiency agreements are a cost-effective policy instrument that also support security of supply, energy self-sufficiency, and competitiveness. It contributes to balancing the energy system and accelerate the growth of clean transition and clean technology markets," said Minister of the Environment and Climate, Sari Multala, at the event in Helsinki on 9 October 2025, marking the opening of the new agreement period.

Voluntary action to reach EU-level energy efficiency objectives

With these agreements, Finland implements the EU’s Fit for 55 package and the Energy Efficiency Directive, which requires member states to reduce their final energy consumption and reach ambitious savings by the end of 2030. 

Unlike other member states, Finland relies on voluntary agreements instead of strict legislation and penalties. Previous periods have shown that this is a well-functioning and cost-effective steering method for the administration.

Large and mid-size energy users are primary targets

Using agreements to implement the national energy savings targets of the Energy Efficiency Directive requires sufficient coverage and demonstrable results. Similar to the ongoing period, the agreement is expected to cover 60 per cent of Finland's total energy use. 

Wide coverage and noticeable savings require that the large and mid-size energy users commit to the new agreement period and its objectives. It is these operators that will also see the greatest cost savings. These companies will also especially benefit from the alternative procedures of the agreement for enforcing the obligations of the new Energy Efficiency Act. 

For their part, municipalities and joint municipal authorities will receive new, customised energy subsidy incentives to include as much of the public sector in the agreements as possible.

Agreements to result in significant savings in energy use

The agreement period ending in 2025 included 780 businesses and over 160 municipalities and joint municipal authorities. Parties that join the agreements provide annual reports on their energy efficiency measures. In 2017–2024, they reported over 31,000 energy efficiency-boosting measures. 

It is these measures that save over 16 terawatt-hours of energy per year in Finland, which corresponds to 4.5 per cent of the nation’s energy use. They also reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 3.5 million tonnes, which is roughly the CO2 load of 335,000 average Finns. 

Large number of sectors included in the agreement

Both the business sectors’ and the real estate industry’s federations remain a part of the agreements in the new period. On the other hand, the Energy Efficiency Agreement for the municipal sector expands to cover the entire public sector in the new period: municipalities, wellbeing services counties, and state organisations.
 
The agreements between the state and the sectors include the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), the Finnish Food and Drink Industries Federation, Finnish Energy, the Chemical Industry Association of Finland, Technology Industries of Finland, Finnish Forest Industries, the Finnish Commerce Federation, the Finnish Hospitality Association (MaRa), the Finnish Central Organisation for Motor Trades and Repairs, the Association of Finnish Cities and Municipalities, the Real Estate and Facilities Management Competence Center for Wellbeing Services Counties, as well as Finnish Property Owners Rakli. 

The Energy Efficiency Agreements fall under the administrative branch of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and, in part, that of the Ministry of the Environment. The Finnish Energy Authority is responsible for implementing the agreements in central government with the State Sustainable Development Company, Motiva.

Further information:
Juhani Tirkkonen, Head of Division, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 062 140
Pia Kotro, Senior Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +3578 295 047 229
Tiina Sekki, Senior Engineer, Finnish Energy Authority, tel. +358 295 050 200