Solid support from customers for electricity network development – focus on reliability of delivery and electrification

– The electricity network is a key enabler of Finland's economic growth, security of supply and clean transition. We develop the network on a long-term basis together with our customers to ensure reliable everyday delivery of electricity, enable investments and meet our customers’ changing needs now and, in the future, says Kosti Rautiainen, Head of Customer Relations at Caruna.  

Customers find electricity network development important, even if it caused moderate increases in prices. The key focus areas of development in the consultation were improving the reliability of delivery and enabling wind and solar power. Customers’ expectations concerning the reliability of electricity delivery are high, and the majority of them think a power outage of less than two hours is reasonable.

According to the Electricity Market Act, the duration of power outages in areas covered by a local detailed plan can be six hours and outside of such areas 36 hours.

Caruna addresses these needs through long-term and proactive development. The development plan takes into account the increasing electricity consumption, the needs to connect renewable energy production and the increase in extreme weather events.

Price guiding the electricity consumption of 50% of customers

Electrification progresses at a fast pace in households and businesses alike. Approximately one in four respondents to the survey owns an all-electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid.  

Approximately 50% of private and corporate customers adjust their electricity consumption based on price often or somewhat, and a large share of respondents wants to use electricity freely when needed. Half of the electric vehicle owners want to charge their vehicle whenever necessary. 

– However, consumption shifting to cheap hours means that more and more electricity is being used at the same time, which drives peak demand up, and this requires investments in growing the electricity network’s capacity. Network investments enable industrial projects, electrification and increased clean energy and ensure reliable electricity delivery in exceptional situations as well. A strong electricity network offers a competitive advantage for municipalities and cities, enabling them to attract investments, and also creates jobs and sustainable growth, says Rautiainen. 

Compared to the previous customer consultation in 2024, the attitude towards network development is clearly more neutral or positive in the open-ended feedback provided. The critical tone against Caruna has softened considerably: approximately one in ten customers offered criticism, whereas the share of similar feedback was considerably higher two years ago. 

In future, the feedback received in the consultation will be used as part of electricity network development. Caruna continues to develop the network together with its customers on a long-term basis to ensure that the electricity network supports society’s transformation and customer needs now and in the future.