Presented at the Third managEnergy Reflection Group meeting 28 March 2003
by Mikko Ahonen, Central Finland Energy Agency

This report is an Appendix to: Energy Agency Networking Project in 2002-2003 - Finland

Within the framework of the SAVE Programme of the European Union, a total of 11 energy agencies have been established in Finland. Seven of these agencies continue to operate today, 1 has ceased to exist and 3 agencies have been merged with their parent organisations in such a manner that their activities have diminished considerably or have discontinued entirely.

Contact information and a short status report on each energy agency are presented in Appendix 1.

Mission statement of the energy agencies

The regional and local energy agencies promote the efficient use of energy and renewable energy sources in their respective areas of operation.

Organisation chart of the energy agencies

All energy agencies are individually organised in a variety of manners. They function, for example, in conjunction with another unit, department or company or as independent units of technology centres.

The energy agencies have 1-4 employees, who are experts in the energy branch. A management or steering group chosen among the financiers of the energy agencies steers their activities. The energy agencies are independent units and they have no national parent organisation. Motiva has been co-operating with the energy agencies for several years already.

Service products of the energy agencies

In view of their size, the energy agencies provide a wide variety of products and services. Some of the products can be found in the product assortment of all energy agencies. However, all energy agencies have chosen specific areas of operation in which they specialise either with regard to subject matter or target group.

Present services and products of the energy agencies:

• compiler and initiator of projects (idea generation, marketing, project planning)
• network builder (local, national, international - EU)
• marketing of energy conservation agreements, especially in the municipalities of an energy agency's specific area of operation
• technical energy conservation services
  • comprehensive service/life-span service
  • energy audits
  • efficiency-promotion plans
  • consumption monitoring
• training services
• investment and financing alternatives /marketing of ESCO activities
• compiler/consultant of local/regional energy balances
• promoter of new technology
• information provider for attitude training and consumption behaviour
  • information desk

Financial structure of energy agencies

The financing of the energy agencies comprises several sources. So far, the energy agencies have not received any national support.

SAVE co-financing forms an important part of the basic financing of the initial phase and accounts for about 30% of the operating expenses of an energy agency. It is intended for the start-up of operations. Co-financing is granted for three years. Only one agency of all the agencies that still continue to operate will receive SAVE co-financing in the year 2002.

The self-financing of the agencies, in other words about 70% of operating expenses, consists of several financing sources:

• Background organisations that finance basic operations and avail themselves of the expertise of the energy agency in return. Financing can take many forms starting from the single financier model to the up to 30 minor-financier model. Among others, municipalities, regional councils, energy companies and enterprises operating in the energy sector act as financiers.
• The energy agencies take part in or start up regional, national and international projects and receive part of their financing from project activities.
• The energy agencies have some form of cash-flow financing from product sales and expert services.

Financing has proven difficult after the termination of the 3-year initial phase financing from SAVE. The annual budget of the energy agencies amounts to about EUR 170,000 - 250,000.

Appendix 1: Status report February 1, 2002

The status report covers the regional and local energy agencies in Finland, agency managers and present situations. You can view their contact details and further information about them by clicking on the relevant link in the Organisations section below.

Energy Agencies involved in the Energy Agency Networking Project

1. HKR Contractor / Life-span services for buildings
   previously named Helsinki Energy Unit
   Ms. Ulla Soitinaho, Tel: +358 9 166 2736
   Email: ulla.soitinaho@hel.fi

   In addition to energy management services, the operations of the Energy Unit were extended to encompass services related to the indoor air of buildings, maintenance, proper use, general condition and environmental calculations. The name of the energy agency has been changed to the unit for life-span services for buildings. The unit operates as part of HKR Contractor.

2. The Ostrobothnia Regional Energy Agency
   Oy Merinova Ab
   Mr. Johan Wasberg, Tel: +358-6-2828 261 or +358-40 742 3207
   Email: johan.wasberg@merinova.fi

   The unit has been integrated into Oy Merinova Ab, which implements a centre-of-expertise programme concentrating on energy technology and energy economy. The energy agency is responsible for implementing the programme, specifically the ecological energy part highlighting renewable energy sources.

3. Regional Energy Agency of Eastern Finland
   Mr. Jorma Telkkä, Tel: +358-15-321 1349 or +358-400-428 746
   Email: jorma.telkka@ESavo.fi

   The Regional Energy Agency of Eastern Finland has continued to co-operate with the region of Eastern Finland since 1992. The regional councils of Southern Savonia, Northern Savonia, Northern Karelia and Kainuu participate in this work. The energy agency concentrates its efforts on the promotion of the use of wood energy.

4. Energy Agency of Southwest Finland
   c/o Turun Teknologiakeskus Oy
   Mr. Jarmo Pyörre, tel: +358-2-410 1670
   Email: jarmo.pyorre@dcc.utu.net

   Please observe that both the responsible manager and the contact information will change as of March 1, 2002

   The energy agency has been functioning as a regional agency for 43 municipalities. The operation as a SAVE project will cease on February 28, 2002. The administrative responsibility for the agency will be transferred to the City of Turku on March 1, 2002 and a continuation plan has been made for the years 2002-2006. The agency employs 3 persons. A new manager has been appointed and will start work on March 1, 2002. The agency's area of operation is extensive and comprises everything from the balance sheet of the region to sound bites aimed at the individual consumer.

5. Central Finland Energy Agency
   c/o Jyväskylä Technology Centre
   Mr. Mikko Ahonen, tel: +358-14-445 1123, or +358-40-5233 840
   Email: mikko.ahonen@jsp.fi

   The agency operates as part of the technology centre of Jyväskylä. The agency was founded on February 1, 1999 and the SAVE project phase ended at the beginning of the year 2002. The follow-up financing of the energy agency has been secured at least until the end of 2003. The location of the agency in the technology centre, which has expert knowledge especially in the field of bio-energy, supports the activities of the agency very well indeed. In addition to matters related to bio-energy, the area of operation also includes energy saving.

6. Tampere Energy Agency
   Ms. Suvi Holm, tel: +358-40-704 4099
   Email: suvi.holm@tt.tampere.fi

   The Tampere Energy Agency started operation in 1999 and the SAVE financing will be terminated on March 31, 2002. The agency will continue to operate as part of the activities of the City of Tampere and a new environmental information centre that has not yet been established. Activities will above all be directed towards individual households, pupils and students as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.

7. Energy Agency of Satakunta
   c/o PrizzTech Oy
   Mr. Esa Merivalli, tel: +358-2-627 1085 or +358-50-339 7249
   Email: esa.merivalli@prizz.fi

   The agency started operation in July, 2000. The agency will receive support for its activities from the SAVE Programme for another year. The domestic financing of the agency mainly consists of different projects. The focus of the agency is on renewable energy sources: wind and solar energy. In addition, the agency has projects for the extended use of wood pellets and landfill gases.

Other Energy Agencies (which are not involved in the networking project)

• Energy Agency of Kotka
  c/o Kotkan Energia Oy
  Mr. Pekka Sihvonen, tel: +358-5-227 7111
  Email: pekka.sihvonen@kotkanenergia.fi

  The agreement with the Commission ended in March, 1999. The energy agency has not continued to operate as an independent unit.

• Energy Agency of Juankoski-Siilinjärvi
  c/o Savon Voima Oy
  Mr. Hannu Tervonen, tel: +358-17-223 5110
  Email: hannu.tervonen@savonvoima.fi

  The agreement with the Commission was terminated in spring 1999.

• Energy Agency of Southeast Finland
  Hämeen-Uudenmaan metsäkeskus
  Mr. Rauno Partanen, Tel: +358-40-557 1444
  Email: rauno.partanen@metsakeskus.fi

  The agency has terminated its operation. The agreement with the Commission ended in October, 2000.

• Energy Agency of Espoo
  City of Espoo
  Mr. Niko Torvela, tel: +358-9-8064854
  Email: niko.torvela@espoo.fi

  The operation as a separate agency ended along with the termination of the SAVE support in winter 2000/2001. Promotion of energy conservation is continued as part of the activities of the City's environmental centre by ½ of a man-year.