Finland should be made one of the leading countries in the green transition and a superpower in clean energy. This should be done so that energy-intensive industries can continue to operate, the degree of processing products will increase and Finns will have access to clean energy at a reasonable price.
The green transition and sustainable growth depend on many factors. If we are to have enough tech talent, it is important that we strengthen smooth, high-quality education and the wellbeing and mental health of experts, for example through communal activities and exercise.
We must also remember to invite international students and experts to help build Finland.
One of the bottlenecks that has been identified is our long permit processes with multiple stages and the lack of predictability in permits in recent years. It is time for the upcoming government to streamline the environmental permit system to apply the ‘one-stop shop’ principle and enable the construction of various industrial parks in the future.
Tens of billions of euros worth of investments in clean energy and the industries that need and utilize it are currently pending in Finland. We have our advantages, such as a high level of competence and skills, a safe and stable society, a vast country and a low population density.
Implementation requires more tech talent, and this is one of TEK's key advocacy messages.
The article has been published as a column in TEK Magazine 3/2023.
