Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 16, The City of Oulu in central Finland is allocating land for three new hydrogen production and processing facilities to bolster its local hydrogen economy and infrastructure. Spanning up to 800 hectares, the industrial site will support the production of hydrogen and synthetic fuels, such as methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (E-SAF), for both domestic use and export through the Port of Oulu and a planned hydrogen pipeline to central Europe.
German-based ABO Energy Group has secured a planning reservation for a hydrogen production plant at the Pyyryväinen site. The proposed facility includes an electrolyser with a capacity of up to 600MW, to be developed in two to three phases, with the first phase expected to commence operations by 2036. ABO Energy is also exploring the production of methanol and E-SAF at the site.
Energiequelle Oy, another company involved, plans to establish a 5MW hydrogen production plant alongside a refueling station for buses and heavy vehicles. Future phases will expand the plant’s capacity to 500MW, enhancing its contribution to the region’s hydrogen infrastructure.
A third, unnamed company is considering a facility with approximately 400MW of electrolysis capacity for hydrogen production. The initial phase of this project is tentatively set for deployment in 2030, further diversifying Oulu’s hydrogen production capabilities.
“Finland is an incredibly attractive destination for investment, thanks to our abundant, affordable green electricity and exceptional capacity to scale up production. Our unique strength as a company lies in our ability to supply renewable energy to hydrogen projects directly through our wind energy portfolio,” said Amanda Cardwell of ABO Energy Suomi Oy.
Oulu’s appeal as a hub for hydrogen projects is bolstered by Finland’s low-cost electricity and the region’s status as the country’s largest producer of renewable energy. Several hydrogen-related initiatives are already underway in Oulu, supported by the international Port of Oulu, access to biogenic carbon dioxide, and the European TEN-T transport network.
Gasgrid Finland is developing a hydrogen transport infrastructure to link Oulu’s production facilities with other parts of Finland and European countries, including Germany. These developments position Oulu as a key player in the growing hydrogen economy, attracting investment and fostering sustainable energy solutions.
