Finnish Energy Authority Explained

Agency Name:Energy Authority
Native Name:Energimyndigheten
Formed:2014
Preceding1:Finnish Energy Market Authority
(1995–2013)
Headquarters:Lintulahdenkuja 2 A
Sörnäinen, Helsinki
Employees:111 (2023)[1]
Budget:€12.4 million (2023)[2]
Chief2 Name:Simo Nurmi
Chief2 Position:Director-General
Parent Agency:Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Website:energiavirasto.fi

The Finnish Energy Authority (Finnish: Energiavirasto) is an expert authority within the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in Finland. It was initially named Electricity Market Center (SMK) and before the most recent name change, Energy Market Authority (EMV).

Background

Electricity transmission in Finland is a natural monopoly, managed by regional transmission companies. The Energy Authority oversees these companies to ensure they do not abuse their monopoly position and overcharge their customers.

Functions

The Energy Authority's tasks include monitoring the pricing of the electricity transmission grid and natural gas markets, and maintaining Finland's national emission trading registry. The agency also provides information on electricity prices to consumers to support the competition of electricity suppliers. Additionally, the Energy Authority oversees the implementation of electricity origin guarantees, ensuring that the amount of energy sold to consumers by energy companies, such as wind energy, is produced by wind power. The Energy Authority also administers the renewable energy feed-in tariffs that came into effect in 2011.

Regarding emissions trading, the Energy Authority grants and monitors emissions permits, oversees the implementation of emissions trading, approves emissions verifiers, and acts as the auctioneer of emission allowances in Finland.[3] [4]

History

In early 2014, the Energy Authority adopted its current name and assumed tasks related to energy efficiency and the promotion of renewable energy from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.[5] At that time, the Energy Authority employed 70 people. Simo Nurmi has been the Director-General since April 2015.[6]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Henkilöstötiedot . 2024-03-22 . Tutkihallintoa.fi . fi.
  2. Web site: Talousarviotalous eli budjettitalous . 2024-03-22 . Tutkihallintoa.fi . fi.
  3. Web site: Päästökauppa käy nihkeästi: huutokauppa peruttiin . Kepa . 2013 . 4 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140222025649/http://www.kepa.fi/uutiset/9806 . 22 February 2014.
  4. Web site: 14 November 2012 . Valtio sai ensimmäiset tulot päästöoikeuksien huutokaupasta Taloussanomat . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221160603/http://www.taloussanomat.fi/ymparisto/2012/11/14/paastooikeuksien-huutokaupasta-rahaa-suomen-kassaan/201242024/12 . 2014-02-21 . 2024-03-22 .
  5. Web site: Historia . Energiavirasto . 2014 . 5 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140314225604/http://www.energiavirasto.fi/historia . 14 March 2014.
  6. Web site: Simo Nurmi Energiaviraston ylijohtajaksi . Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment . 12 March 2015 . 18 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150317063804/http://www.tem.fi/ministerio/tiedotteet_ministerio?89531_m=117652 . 17 March 2015.