Information regarding electricity shortages

Electricity production and consumption must be in balance at all times. Finland is part of the same power system with Sweden, Norway and Eastern Denmark. The same power balance must be maintained throughout this area. An electricity shortage occurs when electricity production and imports are not enough to cover electricity consumption. In such cases, it is necessary to restrict consumption to stop the power system from crashing altogether. Fingrid is responsible for the balance of the Finnish power system, as well as for coordination cooperation with the other Nordic countries.

Fingrid informs citizens on its website and with a press release in accordance with the three-step procedure when the situation possibly escalates.

Phases of an electricity shortage:

1. Electricity shortage possible: The forecasts indicate that in the near future, Fingrid will be unable to maintain rapid disturbance reserves in an amount that would offset a dimensioning fault and domestic production and imports are not enough to cover electricity consumption. Fingrid will announce this on its website. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will inform citizens of the possibility of an electricity shortage.

2. High risk of electricity shortage: All the electricity production available in Finland is in use, and no more electricity can be obtained from Finland’s neighbouring countries. Fingrid will announce this on its website. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will inform citizens of the possibility of an electricity shortage.

3.Electricity shortage: Electricity production and imports are not enough to cover consumption, and Fingrid needs to exercise its right as the party responsible for the system to disconnect electricity consumers. Fingrid will announce this on its website. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will inform citizens of the possibility of an electricity shortage.

Efforts will be made to avoid electricity distribution outages affecting consumers for as long as possible, and consumers will only have their power disconnected once every other remedy has been used.