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16.06.2026
Board professional Jan Montell believes that energy issues are in fine form in Finland. However, the pace of decision-making and implementation must be accelerated. Montell spoke at the Future of Gases (Kaasujen Tulevaisuus) event, organized by Gasgrid, in June.
According to energy expert Jan Montell, clean, mainly self-produced power is the foundation of any functioning energy system. However, gases are also needed to push the green transition forward.
– Finland and Europe should have electricity, hydrogen, and methane systems that are as clean as possible, integrated with each other, he says.
In Montell’s view, the hydrogen system acts as an extension of the electricity system, supporting the demands and competitiveness of various industries. At the same time, hydrogen serves storage needs.
– Hydrogen and other gases are important since they bring balance to the power system, as well as fuel for backup power plants, he describes the complementary role of gases.
Montell points out that from the industry’s perspective, optimizing value chains is the key issue here.
– Deeper integration between different actors would enable more efficient use of expertise and capital, giving us more comprehensive, economically sound solutions, and, for example, improved flexibility on the consumption side.
What about the actual measures needed to ensure a stable energy system? What is Montell’s take on this?
– Finland’s energy policy should be a part of a comprehensive industrial policy that spans several parliamentary terms, since Finland really needs growth. We do not have the time or money for sub-optimization, nor the opportunity to pick and choose the so-called better investments from out there, he points out.
– The most important thing is that the clean transition train continues to go forward on its tracks, and there is no unwanted wavering.
This “wavering” is often the result of market shocks and price spikes that cause citizens to panic and politicians to overpromise.
– Political interventions only serve to undermine the big picture. This is a major challenge for entire Europe, says Montell, who lives in both Switzerland and Italy.
Energy issues are also closely related to security, and diversity and decentralization are hot topics in both.
– The energy system must be based on multiple technologies and alternative supply routes, sufficient backup systems, and wide-spanning markets, Montell says.
As an international board professional, Montell has networked extensively throughout Europe, and he observes the fresh developments in the energy sector from many vantage points. Perhaps the most interesting of these is the Board of the Ukrainian transmission system operator NPC Ukrenergo. As a Member of the Board, Montell has seen many “eternal” industry truths come crumbling down to the ground.
– For example, my view on energy self-sufficiency has totally changed due to the war in Ukraine, he admits.
Montell, who visits Kyiv several times a year, knows now that every nation must stand on its own two feet when it comes to energy: energy production and storage have skyrocketed on states’ respective priority lists in recent years.
According to Montell, however, when he visits Ukraine the determining factor in the general atmosphere is not worry and grief, but, instead, the indomitable attitude of the citizens.
– I have seen what people can do, even when missiles are falling. Ukrainians are extremely resilient.
Montell would like Finland to have the same relentless focus on solutions as Ukraine does, as well as the readiness to implement also tough decisions.
– In Finland, we need to keep dismantling unnecessary norms. Processes must be streamlined in order to attract investments in the energy sector, for example.
In the big picture, however, the world keeps advancing in sustainability issues, even if, right now, the green transition seems to be taking a little break.
– In the end, crises only strengthen the clean transition. People can be really smart when they learn to question the prevailing truths.
Among various industries, Montell considers the energy sector to be the “hottest of the hot”:
– The importance of energy in clean transition, geopolitics and business as well as people’s everyday lives is enormous. At the same time, technological innovations – for example in power storage – are really inspiring, Montell sums up.
Future of Gases: Resilience, integration, and security highlighted in energy sector development
Jan Montell is a board professional with over 30 years of experience in the energy, real estate, construction and finance sectors. He is the Chairman of the Board of Skarta Energy and Octacell and a member of the Boards of Elenia and the Ukrainian TSO company NPC Ukrenergo. Montell holds a Master’s degree in Economics.
Montell served as Fingrid’s CFO for over eight years. Earlier in his career, he worked as an advisor in consulting firms, for example as a partner at KPMG.
Text: Sami Anteroinen
Photos and video: Sami Heiskanen
Aiheet
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