Bioenergy Development in Finland and Sweden: The cases of North Karelia, Jämtland, and Västernorrland Anna Berlina and Nelli Mikkola NORDREGIO WORKING PAPER 2017:6 nordregio working paper 2017:6 1 Bioenergy Development in Finland and Sweden: The cases of North Karelia, Jämtland, and Västernorrland Anna Berlina and Nelli Mikkola NORDREGIO WORKING PAPER 2017:6 nordregio working paper 2017:6 2 Bioenergy Development in Finland and Sweden: The cases of North Karelia, Jämtland, and Västernorrland Nordregio Working Paper 2017:6 ISBN 978-91-87295-53-9 ISSN 1403-2511 © Nordregio 2017 and the authors Nordregio P.O. Box 1658 SE-111 86 Stockholm, Sweden [email protected] www.nordregio.se www.norden.org Editors: Anna Berlina and Nelli Mikkola Contributors: Karen Refsgaard and Alberto Huerta Morales Cover photo: www.pixabay.com The TRIBORN (Securing triple bottom line outcomes from bioenergy development and innovation in rural Norway, project no 233640/E50) is a research project funded by the Research Council of Norway (2014-2017). Nordregio is a leading Nordic and European research centre for regional development and planning, established by the Nordic Council of Ministers in 1997. We conduct solution-oriented and applied research, addressing current issues from both a research perspective and the viewpoint of policymakers and practitioners. Operating at the international, national, regional and local levels, Nordregio’s research covers a wide geographic scope, with an emphasis on the Nordic and Baltic Sea Regions, Europe and the Arctic. The Nordic co-operation Nordic co-operation is one of the world’s most extensive forms of regional collaboration, involving Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland. Nordic co-operation has firm traditions in politics, the economy, and culture. It plays an important role in European and international collaboration, and aims at creating a strong Nordic com- munity in a strong Europe. Nordic co-operation seeks to safeguard Nordic and regional interests and principles in the global community. Common Nordic values help the region solidify its position as one of the world’s most innova- tive and competitive. The Nordic Council of Ministers is a forum of co-operation between the Nordic governments. The Nordic Council of Ministers implements Nordic co-operation. The prime ministers have the overall responsibility. Its activities are co-ordinated by the Nordic ministers for co-operation, the Nordic Committee for co-operation and port- folio ministers. Founded in 1971. The Nordic Council is a forum for co-operation between the Nordic parliaments and govern- ments. The Council consists of 87 parliamentarians from the Nordic countries. The Nordic Council takes policy initiative s and monitors Nordic co-operation. Founded in 1952. Stockholm, Sweden, 2017 Contents Preface ............................................................................................................................................................... 7 1. The case of North Karelia, Finland ......................................................................................... 8 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 8 1.2 Forest industry and bioenergy development in north karelia ....................................................... 8 1.2.1 Motivation arising from local assets ......................................................................................... 8 1.2.2 Long-term strategic work pays back ........................................................................................ 9 1.3 Cross-sectoral cooperation as a driver for bioenergy development ..........................................12 1.3.1 The interplay between regional and sub-regional innovation platforms ........................15 1.3.2 Case Nurmes ..................................................................................................................................15 1.4 Key characteristics of sustainable bio-innovation in north karelia ............................................17 1.4.1 Lessons learned and ways forward ..........................................................................................18 References ........................................................................................................................................................ 21 Interviews ........................................................................................................................................................ 22 List of figures: Figure 1: Forest bioeconomy sector in North Karelia ................................................................................... 9 Figure 2: Spearheads of North Karelia’s Smart Specialisation Programme (RIS3) .......................... 10 Figure 3: Bioeconomy investments in North Karelia 2013-2015 ............................................................... 11 Figure 4: Target lines for the share of different energy resources by % in North Karelia in 2020 ................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Figure 5: Share of different energy resources by % in North Karelia in 2008 .....................................12 Figure 6: Target lines for energy consumption in North Karelia ..............................................................12 Figure 7: Key Research and Education Institutions in North Karelia ......................................................14 Figure 8: Employment (in persons) of renewable energy sector in North Karelia ..............................17 Figure 9: Turnover (€) of renewable energy sector in North Karelia ......................................................17 Figure 10: Impact assessment of North Karelia’s Climate and Environmental Programme 2020 ..............................................................................................................................................18 2. The case of Jämtland, Sweden................................................................................................ 23 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 23 2.2 Brief description of the case study area .......................................................................................... 23 2.2.1 The forestry industry ................................................................................................................... 24 2.2.2 The energy situation .................................................................................................................... 26 2.2.3 Bioenergy ........................................................................................................................................ 26 2.3 The evolution of a local bioenergy market ....................................................................................... 27 2.3.1 A historical perspective – key milestones ............................................................................... 27 2.3.2 The role of different actors and their goals .......................................................................... 27 2.3.2.1 Östersund municipal government .............................................................................. 27 2.3.2.2 Region Jämtland Härjedalen ....................................................................................... 29 2.3.2.3 Jämtkaft – the municipal energy company .............................................................30 nordregio working paper 2017:6 4 2.3.2.4 Göviken – biogas production ........................................................................................31 2.3.2.5 Small-scale biogas production .....................................................................................31 2.3.2.6 SCA Skog- forest company .......................................................................................... 32 2.3.2.7 Skogsägarna Norrskog – forest owners association............................................. 33 2.3.2.8 Educational institutions ................................................................................................ 33 2.4 The activities and measures carried out by the different actors ............................................... 34 2.4.1 Public support instruments ....................................................................................................... 34 2.4.1.1 Energy prices ...................................................................................................................... 34 2.4.1.2 EU and national investment support .......................................................................... 34 2.4.1.3 Regional instruments and strategies .......................................................................... 35 2.4.1.4 Other economic instruments and regulations .......................................................... 36 2.4.2 Possible barriers for bioenergy development ........................................................................ 38 2.5 Bioenergy and the community ............................................................................................................ 39 2.5.1 Cooperation, competence and knowledge ...........................................................................