Solar Economy

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Editorial energy also for future generations After the financial crisis that erupted in autumn 2008, political decissionmakers and the media have focused their attention on the financial problems at hand. Nevertheless, the world’s fundamental situation has not changed: climate change is and remains the world’s biggest challenge. Population growth, technology advancements, urbanisation and growing consumption are testing the limits of the earth’s endurance. When the average standard of living is rising, the consumption of electricity and energy increases. The big challenge is, how can equal rights to better living conditions and prosperity be offered to everyone without compromising the climate targets? Electricity is a basic requisite for modern society and well-being. Society’s dependence on electricity has grown tremendously during the past decades. At the same time, also our vulnerability to power outages has increased. Weather-proof electricity networks must be improved, and at the same time new capacity must be built globally. The future energy system must be based on carbon dioxide-free production as well as energy and system efficiency. Advancing technology will enable the transition from energy production which uses exhaustible, fossil energy sources to solar energy and other forms of emissions-free production and consumption. Emissions-free nuclear power, combined heat and power (CHP) production, and many forms of renewable energy will be needed on the journey to Solar Economy. Technology and the markets will drive development, but a consistent energy policy that encourages the development and commercialisation of emissions-free energy forms is needed. Fortum’s purpose is to create energy that improves life for present and future generations. Our business is primarily based on carbon dioxide-free hydro and nuclear power production and on the strong know-how in energy-efficient CHP production. Accordingly, we are already directing investments towards Solar Economy. We discuss what all this means in more detail in this issue. anne Brunila Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations and Strategy Fortum Corporation is an energy company focusing on the Nordic countries, Russia, Poland and the Baltics. Fortum foraGENda is Fortum’s publication for decision makers. Publisher: Fortum Corporation, PO Box 1, 00048 FORTUM, tel. +358 10 4511, www.fortum.com Editor-in-chief: Anne Brunila managing editor: Paula Durston Editors and graphic design: Pohjoisranta Burson-Marsteller Oy Cover illustration: Janne Harju Printing house: Lönnberg Painot Oy iSSN 1799-6171 address changes and other feedback: for.agenda@fortum.com

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