The Pirkanmaa region has solidified its position as leaders in the hydrogen sector both in Finland and internationally, and began the year with two announcements of encouragement.
The Pilkamma region of Finland is expanding its role as a driving force for hydrogen leadership domestically, Scandinavian regions and worldwide. The H2 Hydrogen Summit & Expo, held in Tampere from January 22-23, 2025, kicked off the year with encouraging news.
Norwegian energy company Freija is planning to build one of Europe’s largest electronic methane production facilities in Nokia, located in the Tampere Metropolitan region. Yes, that Nokia was named after the city. The company aims to meet the strong demand for Finland’s electronic methane, driven by the EU directive. When realized, the project will bring significant investments and create jobs in the region, while allowing for significant reductions in carbon footprint in European transport.
Freija produces electron methane from clean hydrogen and biological carbon dioxide using a cost-effective, modular, patented solution that integrates electrolysis plants.
“We’re looking forward to seeing you in the future,” said Kristian Hauglum, CEO of Freija AS. The Tampere region is an ideal location with scaling capabilities, access to biogenerated CO2, renewable power sources, powerful local partners, proximity to export ports and national gas grids. ”
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) program was launched for the project, and Freija began engineering research during the planning stage. This project is set up to be implemented in three stages, each corresponding to one facility. The final production capacity will be 58,000 tons of renewable electronic methane. Production may begin in 2029.
Effective use of CO2 and waste heat
Another important announcement for the Pirkanmaa region this year is that Tampereen Energy (Tampere Energy) and E-Methane Project Developer Nordic Ren-Gas signed an agreement on January 22nd to utilize carbon dioxide emissions and waste heat. It was when I revealed what I had done.
The presentation was made at the Tampere Exhibition and the two-day H2 Hydrogen Summit & Expo held at the Sports Centre. At the end of the keynote speech, Len Gas CEO Saa Kujara invited Tamperen Enagya CEO Jussi Latinen to join the stage. Together, they expressed their joy that the negotiations had reached a culmination in an agreement signed during the event that day.
According to a statement from the company, they have agreed to direct carbon dioxide from plants from Tammelboima waste to energy to Lengas’ planned electronic methane production facility in Tallastan Gervi, Tampere. E-Methane is a synthetic renewable gas that can be used for land and sea transport.
Additionally, waste heat generated during electronic methane production is transferred to the Tamparene Energy district heating network. Waste heat is a type of renewable energy.
“We’re looking forward to seeing you in a new world,” said Jussi Laitinen, CEO of Tampereen Energia, in a press release.
Nordic Ren-Gas has announced that the Tampere project has received 46 million euros of investment support from Finland’s Ministry of Economic and Employment. Construction of the production facility will begin in 2025 and commercial operations will begin in 2027.
Hydrogen is one of many products that can be produced from biocarbon dioxide. Research projects are also underway elsewhere in Finland, such as LUT University in Lappine Lantarati, which studies the capture of carbon dioxide from biological sources. LUT University, together with the VTT Technical Research Center, is investigating how carbon dioxide from forest emissions can be used to produce plastics. Carbon dioxide can also be used for aviation fuels and food production.
World-class region
The Tampere region and the Pilcomma could play a key role in the development of hydrogen infrastructure in Northern Europe. Hydrogen technology could be part of a broader circular economy. The region has excellent conditions for sustainable energy production and refining. The working title for the project is “Hydrogen Hills.”
“We are pleased to announce that Mika Kolari, Customer Manager at Business Tampere,” said: The Tampere region is an ideal location in terms of renewable energy and existing infrastructure. Furthermore, industrial history, local universities and research institutes, and overall appeal contribute to the appeal of the region. ”
The Tampere region has technical schools supporting the hydrogen industry, such as the VTT Technical Research Centre and the Natural Resources Research Institute Finland (Luke).
The region also has positive experiences with alliances and collaboration projects of various types and levels. Tampere is actively promoting actions that support green transitions and renewable energy growth. For example, in the Tampere vehicle area, Ge Vernova is developing technologies to stabilize and enhance the reliability of the electrical grid. At the end of last year, the company received important orders from Germany worth tens of millions of euros.
This article will also be featured in the 21st edition of Quarterly Publication.
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