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16.06.2026
The speakers at Gasgrid’s “Future of Gas” (Kaasujen Tulevaisuus) event, from left to right, were Janne Grönlund, Heli Virkki, Jani Nurmi, Jan Montell, Jenni Patronen, and Olli Sipilä.
The energy sector is now talking about resilience and security in a completely new way. The role of gases is also changing. The energy markets are being driven by demand and technology, but also, for example, geopolitics. These were some of the key findings of the Future of Gases event, hosted by Gasgrid for its stakeholders in June.
– Finland has demonstrated real energy wisdom over the past 20–30 years. However, the period ahead requires just as much sensible decision-making and smooth implementation, said Gasgrid CEO Olli Sipilä, giving his opening remarks at the ‘Future of Gases: A Stable Energy System’ stakeholder event in Helsinki
Energy industry veteran and international board professional Jan Montell brought a European perspective to the event. Montell, a Member of the Board of the Ukrainian transmission system operator NPC Ukrenergo, spoke in favor of free markets, robust infrastructure, and self-sufficiency, but also reminded of the proper balance. – If one pursues self-sufficiency in absolutely everything, it becomes too expensive. Montell pointed out that developing energy systems requires a lot of resources. In Finland this means smart digitalization, capable professionals, and enough capital to make the whole equation work. In addition, the right attitude is simply a must. In Montell’s opinion, Finland is prone to getting stuck in ‘storm-in-a-teacup’ type scenarios, which serve to distract from the real problems. – In Kyiv, on the other hand, people are living under war conditions. But it is not visible around town, other than the fact that there are small generators on street corners because of blackouts.
Director Jenni Patronen from consulting agency Afry talked about the key drivers for change in the energy system. Patronen, who has been involved in energy consulting for almost 20 years, stated that the energy sector has already experienced a “huge change,” but the pace is only accelerating. Outlook for demand, new technologies, political guidance, and geopolitics each have their own part to play in how energy markets and systems will evolve in the future. Patronen commented that although fossil fuels still play a significant role in Europe, electrification and alternative fuels will occupy center stage in the future.
–The demand for electricity in the coming years will be driven by the increase in the number of data centers as well as the electrification of industry, road transport, and heating in the medium and long term. Looking further ahead, the need for alternative fuels in air traffic and shipping will boost the demand for emission-free hydrogen, she said. According to Patronen, the need for emission-free electricity will inevitably increase with carbon neutrality and economic growth, also in Finland. At the same time, the role of gases in the electricity market is becoming more important. In addition to combined heat and power (CHP), gas turbines and engines are the only long-term flexibility providers in the electricity market, Patronen pointed out. – From the perspective of the electricity market, gas has a role that is actually bigger than what the gas volumes would suggest, in terms of ensuring power supply. This role will remain the same or increase by 2030, she said. – In addition, cleaner gases, such as biogas and e-methane, will improve security of supply as their production keeps growing in Finland. The gas network is key to enabling renewable gas export opportunities to Central Europe.
Janne Grönlund, Director of Gasgrid’s Gas Business, shed more light on the role of gases in a stable energy system and market. Grönlund spoke about the energy system of the future, which emphasizes storability, renewability, efficient energy transmission, rapid adjustment and flexibility, and resilience.
According to Grönlund, gas systems can meet these needs very well indeed. In terms of storage alone, gas is superior. Finland has a storage capacity of 1.2 million MWh for gases, with the majority of capacity coming from LNG terminals. For comparison: with electricity, one would need 12,000 industrial-level batteries (each 100 MWh) to achieve the same storage capacity. – Gas can generate value and benefits on an even wider scale in the coming future, Grönlund stated.
Hydrogen is a big priority in China, as shown recently in the falling manufacturing costs of clean hydrogen in the country. This was noted by Jani Nurmi, Director of Gasgrid’s Investment Unit, in his presentation, which focused on international markets.
– Global value chains for green hydrogen and ammonia are forming in India and China, Nurmi pointed out. Europe is following suit a little slower, but Germany, for example, is very active in launching clean gases. Nurmi sees Finland’s situation as a solid one: – Finland is very competitive in the European energy environment, but we need investments in the tech ecosystem and hydrogen storage. This way, we can reduce costs and thrive in global competition.
Heli Virkki, VP, Hydrogen valleys & customer projects at Gasgrid, provided an overview of the development of Finland’s future gas networks and regional value chains. Virkki emphasized the importance of building a national multi-gas platform: hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide are all needed. – Just one gas is not enough.
Addressing Finland’s hydrogen pipeline project, Virkki said that the new route map will be published in the autumn 2026 and the EIA reports in early 2027. In addition, a draft of the new Hydrogen Market Act is currently making the rounds and is likely to enter into force in early 2027. In creating the hydrogen valleys and the entire hydrogen ecosystem of the future, brave pioneers are needed to drive the value chains onward. It is certainly a worthwhile effort, Virkki believes. – Finland has the best opportunity in Europe to create a market for clean gases.
Check out the recording of the event (In Finnish) and presentation materials (In Finnish)
Jan Montell: Energy sector shows the way to a more sustainable future
Text: Sami Anteroinen
Photos: Sami Heiskanen
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