In 2019, the Finnish government enacted legislation to phase out coal usage by 2029. Since then, the country has witnessed a substantial expansion in renewable energy capacity, particularly in wind and solar power, significantly reducing nationwide coal dependence.
To replace the final coal-fired plant’s annual output of 175 MW of electricity and 300 MW of thermal energy, Finland will deploy large-scale heat pumps alongside the combustion of wood chips and pellets.
The plant’s closure is projected to cut its operator’s emissions by 50% compared to 2024 levels, while also reducing Finland’s total emissions by 2%.
This milestone follows a broader European trend. In October 2024, the United Kingdom became the first G7 nation to decommission its last coal-fired power station, as reported by The Washington Post. Prior to this, the UK had relied on coal for electricity generation for over 140 years.