Finland has reached a remarkable milestone in electricity generation, achieving record-high production levels even amidst peak demand. "Electricity usage is remarkably high, yet we continue to export power—this is unprecedented for a period of peak consumption," noted Jukka Leskelä, Managing Director of Finnish Energy, in a recent social media update.
According to Leskelä, the country’s electricity output soared to an impressive 15,438 megawatts (MW) between 6:00 and 6:15 PM on Saturday evening. This surge in production has been primarily attributed to robust winds, which have significantly boosted energy generation, coinciding with a time when electricity needs are at an all-time high due to extreme cold weather affecting much of Finland.
Leskelä highlighted the unique situation, stating, "The demand for electricity is elevated, yet we are still managing to export power—a new development during these peak consumption times.”
Fingrid, the national transmission grid operator, confirmed that this week saw Finland reach its highest-ever electricity consumption record of 15,553 MW on Thursday evening. This spike in usage occurred just as the country faced its coldest temperatures of the winter, plummeting to a chilling -42.8 degrees Celsius.
Interestingly, Fingrid pointed out that while the frigid temperatures certainly drove demand higher, the relatively low electricity prices played a significant role as well. With consumers feeling less pressure from exorbitant utility bills, they were more willing to consume electricity freely.
On Sunday afternoon, Fingrid reported that Finland was still managing to be a net exporter of electricity, with both production and consumption hovering around 13,000 MW. Furthermore, the average spot price for electricity remained reasonable at approximately 11.80 cents per kilowatt-hour, providing further incentive for consumption.
Just two years prior, on January 5, 2024, Finland experienced a brief spike in spot prices, soaring to an all-time high of 2.35 euros per kilowatt-hour. However, in contrast, last year, Finnish households benefited from having the third-lowest electricity rates in Europe.
In the first nine months of last year, the total electricity consumption in Finland increased by one percent compared to the same timeframe in 2024. Interestingly, overall energy consumption for the January to September period saw a slight decline of one percent, largely due to a nine percent reduction in the use of fossil fuels and peat.
Encouragingly, nearly half of all energy consumed in Finland last year originated from renewable sources. In 2025, the country added over 1,000 MW of new wind power capacity, bringing the total to nearly 9,500 MW. Meanwhile, solar power capacity in industrial settings more than doubled to reach 352 MW.
Statistics Finland reported that by 2024, an impressive 95 percent of the country’s electricity was generated using fossil-free energy sources. Wind energy emerged as a critical player, surpassing hydropower to become the second-largest contributor to electricity generation, accounting for 37 percent of consumption, closely trailing nuclear power, which made up 38 percent.
