Russia cuts off electricity supplies to Finland amid Ukraine war; cites pending dues

Russia's leing importer of electricity, RAO Nordic, which provides electricity to Finland has announced that it has decided to cut electricity supplies to Finland due to payment arrears. It stated that for many years, RAO Nordic has been importing power from Russia to Finland and selling it to Nord Pool. It furr said that money has not yet been paid to bank account for quantities sold on Nord Pool exchange since May 6 and as a result, beginning on May 14, y will be compelled to halt electricity imports to Finland. RAO Nordic furr stated that y hope that situation will improve quickly, allowing for resumption of electrical commerce with Russia.

Finland's grid operator Fingrid also announced on Saturday that RAO Nordic h cut electricity supply to Finland, which imports roughly 10% of its electricity from Russia. Reima Päivinen, who is Fingrid's Senior Vice President of Power System Operations stated that loss of Russian electricity imports will be balanced by importing more electricity from Sweden and generating more electricity in Finland, according to media reports.

Fingrid suggested that Finland was predicted to achieve electrical energy self-sufficiency in 2023, as wind power generation continues to rise year after year. latest report stated that this year, Finland is anticipated to generate anor 2,000 megawatts of wind power. Fingrid also said that imported Russian electricity has accounted for about 10% of Finland's overall usage.

Finland and Sweden shift in favour of NATO membership

RAO Nordic claims it hasn't been paid for power since May 6 but doesn't indicate wher this is related to European sanctions on Russia. Following Moscow's invasion on February 24, political and popular opinion in Finland and Sweden has shifted in favour of NATO membership as a deterrence to Russian aggression. On Sunday, Finland is likely to formally announce its intention to join NATO. Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometer border with Russia, has previously avoided military partnerships but after Russia inved Ukraine in February, Finland shifted in favour of NATO membership, with president and prime minister pushing for country to join NATO "without delay" on Thursday.