Finland's heating and power plants consumed a total of 22.4 million solid cubic metres (43.9 terawatt hours) of solid wood fuels in 2023, showing a decrease of 2% from the previous year. The consumption of forest chips increased by 8%, while the volume of forest industry by-products decreased by 10%. Combined with the fuelwood burned in small-scale housing, the total consumption of wood fuels was 29.3 million cubic metres, according the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).
Heating and power plants
- In 2023, heating and power plants consumed a total of 22.4 million solid cubic metres (43.9 TWh) of solid wood fuels, showing a decrease of 2% from the previous year.
- The consumption of forest chips was 11.0 million cubic metres, up by 8% from the previous year.
- Combined heating and power plants (CHP) consumed a total of 7.0 million cubic metres of forest chips (+8%). In heat generation alone, the consumption of forest chips increased by 7% to 4.0 million cubic metres.
- Of all forest chips, 6.6 million cubic metres were produced from small-diameter trees, i.e. from pruned and unpruned stems, and pulpwood. The consumption of small-diameter trees increased by 5%. The consumption of logging residues was 3.0 million cubic metres, same volume as the year before. The use of large-sized roundwood increased to 1.1 million cubic metres, and that of stumps decreased 1% to 0.3 million cubic metres.
- The consumption of different solid forest industry by-products was 10.0 million cubic metres (-10%). Of this amount, bark accounted for 6.0 million cubic metres (-11%), industrial chips 1.2 million cubic metres (-11%), different types of sawdust 2.6 million cubic metres (-11%), and unidentified industrial residues 0.2 million cubic metres (+35%).
- The consumption of recycled wood was 1.2 million cubic metres (-12%). In addition, a total of 0.4 million tonnes (-14%), of wood pellets and briquettes were consumed.
- The consumption of solid wood fuels was the highest in the region of Uusimaa (2.5 million cubic metres). The most forest industry by-products and wood residues were consumed in the region of South Karelia (1.5 million cubic metres). The consumption of forest chips was the highest in the region of Uusimaa (1.8 million cubic metres).
Small-scale burning of wood
- Small-scale burning – small-scale housing and farms – accounted for 6.9 million solid cubic metres.
- The consumption of logwood and smallwood was 5.9 million cubic metres.
- The consumption of forest chips was 0.6 million cubic metres.
- The consumption of other wood, including pellets, was 0.4 million cubic metres.
