Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä (Cen) said on Monday that Finland will make it through the rest of this winter, even if there are restrictions on energy imports from Russia.
He was speaking ahead of an afternoon meeting of EU energy ministers in Brussels to discuss the impact of and responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ministers are to discuss the energy sector's state of preparedness along with possible emergency measures and means to assist Ukraine. The European Commission is to propose possible further action to ensure energy supplies across the continent next winter.
Possible financial support for Ukraine's energy
In a statement, Lintilä commented on requests to help Ukraine's energy sector, which has been targeted by Russian attacks.
"Due to its remote location, Finland will not be able to participate in support in the form of direct energy supplies, but Finland's future financial support could also be directed to energy purchases," he said.
The economic affairs minister also commented on a possible retaliatory cut-off of Russian fossil gas and electricity. While Finland has reduced its dependence on Russian energy, it still makes up a substantial proportion of the nation's supply.
Temperatures could remain below freezing in much of Finland for months, but Lintilä did not foresee any immediate energy shortage. He said that Finland will make it through the rest of this winter, even if Russia restricts energy deliveries.
"We will survive this winter"
"Finland's own energy supply has operated reliably throughout the winter, although the rise in energy prices has harmed consumers and other users. I expect that we will survive this winter in terms of security of supply without major problems, even if Russia imposes restrictions on the importing of gas or electricity. Gas accounts for only about five percent of primary energy consumption in Finland," Lintilä pointed out.
"In the event of energy supply disruptions and in order to meet international obligations, stocks of imported fuel will be maintained, corresponding to approximately five months of normal consumption," he added.
On Thursday, Lintilä shelved plans for the Russian-built Fennovoima nuclear plant at Hanhikivi in northern Finland.