Oulu’s district heating development measures are paying off—strengthening competitiveness while keeping prices unchanged in 2026
The long-term development of Oulun Energia has yielded favourable results. The company performs well in a price comparison of district heating in large cities for all building types, and the price development of district heating has remained stable.
“We work hard to ensure that district heating in Oulu remains a carefree and reliable form of heating with stable pricing. The price of district heating will not increase in 2026. This is particularly due to the favourable price development of fuels and the long-term investments in energy efficiency and non-combustion-based district heat production in line with Oulun Energia’s strategy,” states Jukka Salovaara, head of energy services operations at Oulun Energia.
Oulun Energia’s second electric boiler was completed in Toppila in the summer of 2025. With its two electric boilers, the company produces heat flexibly without combustion, especially during periods of cheap electricity on the electricity market. The electric boilers already account for almost 5% of Oulu’s district heat production, and this share is expected to double with the commissioning of the new electric boiler.
The Linnanmaa energy centre, completed at the beginning of the year in connection with Nokia’s smart campus, enables the utilisation of surplus heat from Nokia’s operations in the district heating network. The amount corresponds to approximately 4% of Oulun Energia’s annual district heating needs. In addition to utilising electric boilers and surplus heat, we produce district heat in our own power plants with energy wood and Solid Recovered Fuel, and we are phasing out peat in a controlled manner.
Although the outlook for district heating in Oulu is positive, it is important to recognise that future developments carry risks and uncertainties, including the impact of the geopolitical situation on the market and fluctuations in fuel prices.
Oulu’s district heating withstands comparison
Oulu continues to rank excellently in a district heating price comparison of major cities. Oulun Energia’s district heating was the third cheapest in the category for detached houses, and 7% cheaper than the average. Oulu is the cheapest in the category for terraced houses, and 17% cheaper than the average. The company’s district heating is also the cheapest in the category for apartment buildings, and 16% cheaper than the average. For more detailed price statistics, see our website.
District heating from Oulu continues to be a competitive option in comparison to other forms of heating as well. District heating offers ease, security of supply, and stable costs. It does not require large initial investments and is not as susceptible to fluctuations in electricity prices as individual home heating solutions. Additional services are also available for district heating to support, for example, energy efficiency.
“Our customers also expect us to operate sustainably. 77.7% of Oulu’s district heating is already produced using renewable energy sources and surplus heat, which reduces housing emissions and our customers’ carbon footprint,” states Jukka Salovaara.
In 2024, the specific emissions of district heating production in Finland amounted to approximately 72 gCO2/kWh. The specific emissions of Oulun Energia’s district heating are below average, amounting to 40.6 gCO2/kWh last year. Our company’s district heating emissions have decreased by 48% over the past three years.
