Solar eclipse visible in Finland impacts energy production

A partial solar eclipse occurred in Finland on Wednesday, August 12, with the moon obscuring between 83 and 85 percent of the sun. The phenomenon was visible across various regions, including Helsinki, Kuopio, and Jyväskylä, often appearing as a crescent shape near the horizon during sunset.

The eclipse had implications for the energy sector. According to Entso-E, the event caused a temporary reduction in solar power production across large parts of Europe. In Finland, Fingrid noted that while the drop in solar capacity is visible in the system, it can be compensated for by other production methods.

Economically, the reduction in solar output contributed to a spike in electricity prices. In Finland, prices were projected to reach a peak of approximately 13.43 cents per kilowatt-hour around 20:15, driven by the decrease in solar energy availability during the eclipse.