HELSINKI, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Finland's national energy-saving campaign officially kicked off on Monday. However, the country's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment said most Finns had already started reducing their consumption during the summer.
Since the government unveiled the details of the energy-saving campaign at the end of August, nearly nine out of ten Finnish people have taken measures to cut their consumption, according to a Citizens' Pulse survey published in September.
Fingrid, the major grid operator in Finland, recently reported that electricity consumption decreased by seven percent in September on a year-on-year basis.
The government's campaign, called "Down a Degree," aims to encourage at least 95 percent of Finnish households to save energy, and to lower the demand for electricity during peak times. The government aims to achieve a permanent reduction in energy consumption in Finland.
Meanwhile, Kati Laakso from Finnish sustainable energy company Motiva said that with winter just around the corner, "more effort will be needed from all."
In addition to households, companies and other organizations are also involved in the campaign, with 541 entities pledging to take concrete steps to save energy.
The ministry expects the campaign to help ensure energy sufficiency in Finland, contribute to a sustainable electricity system, and curb rising energy prices. ■
