Arctic Smartness strategy
Renewable energy solutions as promoters of self-suffi ciency
TARGET: To strengthen Lapland’s role as a leading region in the application of renewable energy and energy technology
The need to respond to concerns about renewable energy has grown as a result of both the green and digital transformation and changes to Europe’s security environment. Moving towards low-carbon and cost-effective energy solutions is one of the most important goals from the standpoint of the green transition. The use of renewable energy solutions not only supports the goals of the green transition but also increases Lapland’s level of self-sufficiency.
In Lapland, expertise in renewable energy is connected to the use of energy-efficient solutions and energy technologies in the Arctic. Applications can be seen, for instance, in tourism-related logistics chain and construction sites. As the growth of renewable energy necessitates cooperation across extensive co-operative networks, the region, together with municipalities and businesses, plays a crucial role.
The preservation and use of renewable energy as well as the development of infrastructure in the Lapland region are in fact closely related to the need to target renewable energy. It is important to recognise the operating environment and the conditions in Lapland as opportunities for the use of renewable energy sources and the development of new solutions. There is also a recognised need in the region for hybrid solutions and applications as well as for the introduction of energy processed from renewable energy sources. For companies in Lapland, the need for renewable energy refers to the search for a new type of competitive advantage on the market, particularly via energy-effective solutions and carbon footprint-reducing applications.
Examples of development packages:
- Promoting the deployment of renewable energy modes (e.g. energy simulations)
- Developing hybrid and decentralised energy production solutions as well as energy storage
- Furthering the construction of external loading infrastructure off the main grid
- Advancing innovations in low-emission mobility and logistics
- Fostering the transition to the hydrogen economy and the application of hydrogen usage
- Promoting the development of Power-to-X solutions implemented with renewable energy
- Facilitating the development of self-sufficient and operationally reliable smart electricity networks
In the focus on renewable energy, it is important to promote the production and use of renewable energy and the application of energy technology in Lapland, but also to strengthen the conditions that Lapland enables as an operating environment for renewable energy and investments. The priority has a strong connection to all Lapland’s top sectors as their source of renewal.