Energy efficiency agreements
Energy efficiency agreement scheme is a policy measure based on an agreement between the central government and the participating sectors for improving energy efficiency and saving energy. The comprehensive and efficient energy efficiency agreement scheme is an important measure for Finland to meet its energy efficiency obligations without having to introduce mandatory procedures. Voluntary agreements between the central government and the participating sectors have been used to promote energy savings and energy efficiency since the 1990s.
The contract period starting in 2026 covers three contract areas. Industry, the energy sector and the private service sector are involved in the energy-efficiency agreement for the business sector. Other energy efficiency agreements concern the real estate sector as well as the public sector.
Finland reports to the EU on the implementation of energy savings every two years. The current contract period on 31 December 2025 and the new one starting from the beginning of 2026 will end on 31 December 2035. The announcement of the 2026-2035 agreements was held on 9 October 2025.
Responsibilities
The Energy Authority under the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is responsible for the preparation, development and implementation of energy efficiency agreements.
The Energy Authority has commissioned the state-owned company Motiva Ltd to carry out tasks relating to the implementation, communications, reporting and monitoring of the energy efficiency agreements.
The companies that have signed the energy efficiency agreement can apply for energy and investment aid.
Energy audits
Energy audit is a systematic procedure with the purpose of obtaining adequate knowledge of the energy consumption and identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency, to save energy and to use renewable energy.
Energy audits are divided into two parts: the mandatory energy audits of large enterprises, as provided for in the Energy Efficiency Act (1429/2014), and the voluntary energy auditing scheme for other enterprises. The voluntary audits are supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Mandatory for large enterprises
The Energy Efficiency Act obligates large enterprises to carry out an energy audit every four years. Energy audits result in information of the energy consumption profile of a company or it units, identifying energy savings or energy efficiency improvements.
The mandatory energy audits of large enterprises are managed and implemented by Energy Authority of Finland.
Subsidised energy auditing in municipalities and SMEs
Voluntary, subsidised energy audit is a systematic procedure with the purpose of obtaining adequate knowledge of the energy consumption and identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency, to save energy and to use renewable energy The audits are conducted and reported according to instructions. Motiva Ltd provides instructions and guidance on voluntary energy audits.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment subsidises the voluntary energy audits of municipalities and small- and medium-sized enterprises. Carrying out an energy audit in accordance with relevant models and instructions is a precondition for energy aid.
Business Finland grants the aid, and the application is submitted to Business Finland’s online service.
Pia Kotro, Senior Specialist
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Energy Department, Emissions Trading and Energy Efficiency Telephone:0295047229 Email Address:
Pekka Kärpänen, Senior Specialist
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Energy Department, Emissions Trading and Energy Efficiency Telephone:0295047882 Email Address:
Timo Ritonummi, Senior Ministerial Adviser
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, Energy Department, Nuclear Energy and Energy Security Telephone:0295064798 Email Address: