Carbon-neutral, just, and sustainable energy communities in Southern Ostrobothnia

The decline in the use of peat-based energy has created a situation where renewable energy should be used as a substitute in local communities. The decline of peat energy is causing economic losses and partial risks to security of supply, as the peat industry has increased energy self-sufficiency and brought a wide range of economic activity to rural areas. The change process is challenging because there are many renewable energy production options, all of which have different regional economic impacts compared to the use of peat. The effects of the energy transition will depend, inter alia, on both the availability of renewable energy and its suitability for local conditions. In order to achieve a fair transition, energy sources substituting peat should be found that have at least as good, if not better, regional economic impacts than energy peat. This will help to promote the acceptability of the green transition at community level. The project will examine the viability and regional economic impact of the best community-based renewable energy production models to replace energy peat. It will also identify challenges and bottlenecks to the transition and provide further recommendations for its implementation through model calculations. Bio-energy, wind, and solar energy will be specifically addressed, as well as the social equity of the green transition.

The project is co-funded by the European Union and it is implemented together with Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, University of Vaasa, and Vaasa University of Applied Sciences.