Founded in early 2023, the association Suomen Vetylaakso ry (Finland’s Hydrogen Valley) aims to advance renewable energy production and the hydrogen economy in Eastern and South-Eastern Finland.
The idea of building a hydrogen sector network has been enthusiastically received in municipalities, companies and development agencies in North & South Karelia as well as the Kymenlaakso-Loviisa region. From the outset, the association has attracted 30 members, of which 17 are companies.
The objective is to build Finland into a significant cluster for renewable energy and hydrogen production (and downstream products) on a European scale. Several large-scale investments are underway in Eastern and South-Eastern Finland, including a methanol or methane plant by St1 in Lappeenranta, green hydrogen facilities by Ren‑Gas in Kotka and Mikkeli, a hydrogen-and-methane plant by P2X in Joensuu, and a green-hydrogen production facility by Solvay Chemicals in Kouvola.
In Kotka and Hamina major investments in battery materials are progressing strongly. If the plans materialise, these represent over a billion euros of investment into Eastern Finland. Furthermore, during 2023-25 investments of €1-2 billion in solar power are expected in the region.
One of the tasks of the Hydrogen Valley is to promote the supply of wind-power-generated electricity. The association proposes that the incoming government programme records key policy recommendations from the report by Arto Räty: (a) to find solutions with the Defence Forces that allow wind-farms to be established closer to Finland’s eastern border, and (b) to allocate additional funding for new radar acquisitions for the Defence Forces.
Electricity demand is expected to double rapidly in Finland, and its role in hydrogen manufacturing is critical. In Eastern Finland, the existing grid transmission capacity is already limiting planned growth in solar and wind power production and industrial investment. A new 400 kV transmission link (“Vaaralinja”) through South & North Karelia to Kainuu must be designed without delay.
The connection (“Järvilinja”) from Northern through Central to Southern Finland does not meet the needs of Eastern Finland, leaving much of the country out of investments in renewable energy, the hydrogen economy and electrification of society.
More information:
Jami Holtari, Managing Director
Tel. +358 400 551 435
jami.holtari@vetylaakso.fi
Original article published in 26.5.2023.