DEVELOPMENT IN UTILIZATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN THE REGION OF SOUTH SAVO

The aim of this study is to analyse the development in consumption of biomass, peat and oil in the region of South Savo. The reference years are 2006 and 2015. EU and national obligations and local willingness are the most important factors to use local energy resources more extensively. Informing of possibilities has created positive operation environment for enterprises to invest on the whole supply chain and new biomass based energy production. During this period total biomass, peat and oil consumption has decreased 20 %. The use of forest residues has increased 50% and the use of heavy fuel oil has significantly decreased 80%. This trend will continue. Using domestic fuels increases regional and national supply security and creates local entrepreneurship. In the future new wood based products, for example pyrolysis oil and torrefied wood pellets, could open up new possibilities to use local renewable energy sources more extensively.