The City of Riihimäki joins the new energy efficiency agreement period 2026–2035

6.10.2025 Press releases Living in Riihimäki Energy saving Real estate Construction Technical industry

Large indoor swimming pool with swimming lanes and diving boards at the beginning of the lanes at the end of the pool. — The swimming pool's energy efficiency was improved by a third during the renovation. Photo: Jenniina Nummela

The City of Riihimäki will extend the national energy efficiency agreement for a new period next year. Energy efficiency agreements are an important part of Finland's energy and climate strategy and a primary means of promoting the efficient use of energy in Finland.

The city's energy savings target will be met during this contract period.

In the current energy efficiency agreement period 2017–2025, the city's energy savings target is 7 percent energy savings compared to 2016.

"The city's biggest energy-saving measures in the current period have been the energy savings achieved in the renovation of the swimming pool, the renovation of street lights to LED lamps, and the transition of the Jukola school and daycare center to geothermal energy. With these three big measures and many other smaller ones, we will achieve the energy-saving target for the current period," says Construction Manager Paavo Vuori.

The energy efficiency agreement is related to the strategy of the city of Riihimäki towards future climate goals and a pleasant urban environment. The aim is to follow the priorities of the city strategy and resource-wise environmental policy to increase overall well-being in Riihimäki.

Setting goals is essential in an agreement

In the new period 2026–2035, the city's action plan and objectives will be updated to reflect EU obligations and the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive.

"The essential thing in an energy efficiency agreement is setting goals and reporting on their implementation. The city sets an energy saving goal for 2035 and an interim goal for 2030. We commit to investigating the possibilities for improving the efficiency of the city's energy use and to reporting on the energy efficiency measures implemented annually. However, the obligations are indicative and do not result in sanctions, even if the goal is not achieved," says Paavo Vuori.

The European Union has set a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. Finland's national goal is to be carbon neutral in 2035 and the City of Riihimäki's goal is in 2030.

The new energy efficiency agreement sets targets and measures for the city's sectors. The implementation of these will be monitored in the city's energy working group meetings. The implementation of the measures will be included in the city's operational and financial planning.

Energy performance contracts are a means chosen jointly by the state and industries to achieve the binding energy efficiency obligations of the EU Energy Efficiency Directive without burdensome, mandatory legislation or coercive measures. In addition to the public sector, energy performance contracts guide industry, the energy and service sectors, and the real estate sector.