Forest chips have become an important energy source in Finland in recent decades, largely driven by policies to increase renewable energy. In the 2020s, the expansion of alternative renewable energy technologies has affected the energy system. Meanwhile, criticism of forest chip use has grown, especially regarding climate and biodiversity impacts.
This dissertation investigates the future role of forest chips in Finland over the next decade and examines the operational environment of energy wood procurement. It also analyses harvesting conditions in young thinning stands with neglected management. The study combines survey data, forest inventory data, and harvesting simulations.
According to the findings, forest chip consumption is expected to decrease in heat-only and combined heat and power (CHP) plants by 2033, while remaining at a relatively high level. Forest chips will be increasingly used as a source of balancing power, extending energy wood storage times and intensifying terminal use. Most of the energy wood delivered in 2023 was domestic and sourced within 100 km of the consumer plant. A significant proportion of the supplied volume also consisted of roundwood suitable for industrial processing. Several of the analysed young thinning stands with neglected management were potential harvesting sites for delimbed energy stemwood and in some cases for pulpwood. High estimated harvesting costs resulted from the small average size of the removed stems and the low harvested volume.
Fluctuations in forest chip consumption, together with political uncertainty, should be recognised as undermining the operational environment of energy wood suppliers and posing a risk to security of supply. In stands where the removal consists of small-diameter stems, whole-tree harvesting may increase profitability if the stand is suitable for this method. Enhancing procurement and use of whole-tree chips is therefore important to improve forest management activities and prevent the use of industrial roundwood for energy.