Answers to frequently asked questions

Electricity shortage

Electricity shortages and potential power cuts resulting from them are currently a common topic of conversation. On this page, we have gathered key information about the subject, as well as links to further information. We will update the page as and when we receive new information.

People throughout Europe are concerned about the sufficiency of energy after power and gas imports from Russia stopped as a result of the war in Ukraine. The price of energy has risen drastically, and we cannot be certain about the future price development. Therefore, we all must save energy in order to avoid electricity shortages and ease the pressure to increase energy prices.

What is electricity shortage?
  • A national electricity shortage arises when the production and imports of electricity are not enough to meet the electricity consumption of a country. In the power system, production and consumption must be in balance at all times. If this is jeopardised, it is necessary to restrict consumption in order to stop the power system from crashing in the entire country.
Why are planned power cuts possible?
  • The transmission system operator Fingrid is responsible for the balance of the power system in the entire country. When there is a risk of a power shortage, Fingrid will first start up reserve power plants and request sites capable of flexible electricity consumption to reduce their loads. If these measure are not enough to ease the situation, Fingrid will direct various electricity network companies to implement necessary power cuts. In practice, this means power cuts of about two hours rotating in different regions until the electricity shortage situation has passed.
  • In unexpected situations, for example, in the event of a fault in a key power plant, consumption must be reduced as a matter of urgency. In such a case, Fingrid can direct extensive areas to be without electricity immediately without advance warning in order to reinstate power balance.
What would power cuts mean in practice?
  • Power cuts of up to two hours at a time in a single area.
  • The power cuts are most likely to take place during hours of highest consumption, i.e. at 7am–10am and 4pm–6pm. However, power outages are also possible at other times.
  • Efforts will be made to exclude society’s critical functions, such as health centres, hospitals, water management and rescue services, from the power outages.
  • Critical functions may also be left without power in the event where Fingrid is forced to drastically reduce loads in wider areas.
How should I prepare for possible power cuts?
  • Think in advance what you would need during a power cut that lasts approximately two hours and how you would cope with it in the best way. For example, you can test in advance how to do your morning chores without electricity.
  • Keep your phone and backup power source charged at all times.
  • Make sure that you also have a battery-operated torch, a radio and spare batteries at home. It is also advisable to have a home emergency supply kit in case of longer power cuts. Read further information here.
  • You will get advance notice about a power cut by text message. In unexpected power outage situations, it may not be possible to provide advance information. Make sure that Kuopion Energia has your up-to-date telephone number. You can check and, if necessary, update it in the Väppi app under Fault Reports. Unfortunately the app is available only in Finnish.
    • You can also add other contact details in the fault service.
    • If you notice any errors in your contact details, please contact your electricity supplier.
  • If you have devices that need an uninterruptible power supply, now is the time to acquire an emergency power generator or UPS device. Unexpected power cuts are also possible at other times, e.g. in fault situations.
  • If you have an emergency power generator, please test that it is functioning well and has enough fuel.
How will I hear about a potential power cut?
  • Follow the national news channels.
  • You will get advance notice about a power cut by text message. In unexpected power outage situations, it may not be possible to provide advance information. Make sure that Kuopion Energia has your up-to-date telephone number. You can check and, if necessary, update it in the Väppi app in Fault Reports. Unfortunately the app is available only in Finnish.
    • You can also add other contact details in the fault service.
    • If you notice any errors in your contact details, please contact your electricity supplier.
How does the power cut affect district heating?
  • Heating does not work during the power cut. However, the apartment does not cool down significantly, nor does the piping freeze.
How does the power cut affect the availability of warm water?
  • The thermostat that adjusts the temperature of warm water works with electricity, which means that burning hot water may run from your tap during the power cut.
  • Avoid using water during the power cut.
  • Be also cautious, when pouring water from the tap after the power cut.
What should I do during and after a power cut?
  • Switch off all electrical devices that were left on at the start of the outage. You can leave one light on so that you can see when the power cut has ended.
    • It is important to switch off electrical devices because when the power cut ends, there may still be a high shortage of electricity and the power cut may only have been moved to another area. Therefore, it is advisable to use electricity sparingly even after the outage. Switching all devices on at the same time may also cause problems in the power network. It may also cause a risk of fire if you have left your home unoccupied during the outage.
  • Avoid using water and be careful, since it may be burning hot.
  • Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer unnecessarily.
  • Stay calm and wait for the electricity to come back on.
What can I do to prevent electricity shortages and any resulting power cuts?
  • Each and every one of us can prevent a shortage of electricity by reducing our own energy use.
  • Avoid using high-power electrical appliances, such as a cooker, sauna stove, EV charger and heating systems, during peak hours (7am–10am and 4pm–6pm).
  • Also reduce the use of other electrical appliances especially during peak hours.
  • The peak hours of electricity consumption can be monitored: in the Väppi app, in the Tuntihinta app or on Fingrid’s website.
  • Energy-savings tips on the Down a Degree campaign website.
Can I get compensation for outages?
  • On the basis of the Electricity Market Act, the customer is entitled to damages if there is a fault in electricity supply. Power cuts based on a shortage of electricity do not constitute a fault in the electricity supply because the power cut is due to a reason beyond the control of the local distribution system operator.
Where can I find more information?
  • In addition to Kuopion Energia’s channels, further information about the overall situation and the implementation of outages is available on Fingrid’s website.
  • Further information about saving energy is available, for example, on the Down a Degree website of the Finnish government’s energy-saving campaign.
How can I update my contact details for fault notices?
  • You will get advance notice about a power cut by text message. In unexpected power outage situations, it may not be possible to provide advance communications. Make sure that Kuopion Energia has your up-to-date telephone number. You can check and update it in the Väppi app.
  • If you notice any errors in your contact details, please contact your electricity supplier.
  • How to update your contact details in Väppi:
  1. Download the Väppi app on vappi.fi.
  2. Open Väppi and select Fault Report on the front page.
  3. Switch on the fault notices.
  4. Add a telephone number for sending the fault notices.
  5. You can also add two other phone numbers and a maximum of three email addresses.
  6. Unfortunately the app is available only in Finnish.