Supply security for domestic fuels at Finnish combined heat and power plants

• Study concentrates on examining the preparations of Finnish CHP plants for domestic fuel crisis.
• Questionnaire targeting the largest domestic fuel users producing district heating and electricity was utilised.
• Most significance challenges in peat fuel supply security were found to be the time-consuming environmental permit process.
• Wood fuels supply security could be improved via an extensive terminal network.

The focus of the study was on examining the preparations of Finnish CHP plants for a domestic fuel crisis. National supply security has become topical as the use of domestic fuels, especially peat and wood fuels, has increased over the past decade and temporary regional shortages of domestic fuels have occurred. The study utilised a questionnaire targeting the largest domestic fuel users producing district heating and electricity. The response rate was high, reflecting the importance attached to the subject. The most significant challenges in peat fuel and wood fuel supply security were found to be the time-consuming environmental permit processes for peatlands entering energy use, lack of wood fuel terminals, and the currently unpredictable taxation and subsidy policy. General operation conditions should be improved for domestic fuels' use, and continuity of domestic labour and fuel production must be guaranteed.