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10.08.2026
In Kannus, primary production, biogas and renewable energy production are directly linked to the hydrogen economy. In the photo (left to right): Jukka Oravainen, CEO of the development company YritysKannus; Sulonen the cow; Jussi Niinistö, the Mayor of Kunnas; and Noora Pajala, Business Developer at YritysKannus.
Developing the gas network creates excellent conditions for local industry, which generates jobs and tax income. In Finland’s Central Ostrobothnia, efforts to build a future based on renewable energy production and consumption are advancing rapidly.
The hydrogen pipeline planned for the Kannus area of Central Ostrobothnia is being likened to the arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s, offering huge opportunities in the future.
That is how Jukka Oravainen, the CEO of the development company YritysKannus, describes the expectations that municipalities, companies and residents are placing on the construction of Gasgrid’s gas infrastructure.
“For some time, we’ve been developing a regional package that consists of renewable energy, downstream energy processing and the hydrogen economy. Gas infrastructure supports this well,” he says.
Oravainen explains that the ecosystem being built in the area involves actors especially from Kokkola, Kannus, Sievi and Nivala. The co-operation network also extends all the way to neighbouring regions in Northern Ostrobothnia.
“The region’s municipalities are planning new industrial areas that enable future investments. At the same time, we are coming up with project plans and concept designs for future projects together with investors,” Oravainen says.
“In Kannus, we’re no longer just talking about project plans – we’re also talking about finalised investment decisions and projects under construction.”
Jukka Oravainen points out that the gas network connects renewable energy producers and consumers. Alongside hydrogen, the area also has a need for biogas transmission in the future.
“A lot of wind power is being built in the region, which can be used to produce renewable hydrogen. Also, biogas production from agricultural biobased raw materials is growing rapidly,” Oravainen explains.
When finished, Gasgrid’s planned hydrogen pipeline will run right past the Kannus Eco-Industrial Park. This will ensure a secure supply of hydrogen as a raw material for companies. Alternatively, hydrogen produced in the area can be fed into the national network.
According to Oravainen, the system is supported by Fingrid’s new Lakeus Line, which will improve the region’s electricity transmission and supply capacity. This way, growing wind and solar power can be integrated into the system.
“Gasgrid, Fingrid, municipalities and the region’s development organisations are all working towards the same goal. Our long-standing tradition of collaboration facilitates the co-operation,” says Oravainen.
He says that the region is assembling more companies interested in developing the ecosystem together. These include both potential producers and consumers of energy.
Local downstream processing is very important. According to Oravainen, the goal is for diverse industry to spring up around the utilisation of the produced biogas and hydrogen.
“Investments like this have far-reaching impacts. They create jobs and business for the entire sub-region. This also strengthens municipalities’ economies through tax income,” Oravainen points out.
The region is assembling more companies interested in developing the ecosystem together.
Heli Virkki, Head of Hydrogen Valley Development and Customer Projects at Gasgrid, says that the company is currently in discussions to develop gas infrastructure in various parts of Finland.
“Companies’, municipalities’ and regional councils’ response has been extremely positive, because gas infrastructure is seen as supporting the development of the sub-regions,” Virkki says.
Building the gas network employs local contractors. It also creates work for partners responsible for maintenance and service.
“The biggest and most long-lasting benefit, however, results from the ecosystem built up around the gas infrastructure, including both energy producing and consuming companies,” Virkki adds.
Industrial systems that will be built around hydrogen in the future are called hydrogen valleys. They bring together hydrogen production, storage, transmission and consumption in a closely connected system.
“Hydrogen valleys can include multiple production facilities that supply hydrogen, for example, to companies manufacturing steel, fuels or other chemicals,” explains Heli Virkki.
Hydrogen production also generates plenty of heat, which can be recovered and used in a district heating network or in industrial processes.
According to Virkki, the idea behind the national hydrogen infrastructure is for regional hydrogen valleys to be able to connect to the shared infrastructure. This allows local projects’ access to the broader market.
The planned hydrogen infrastructure is intended to be operational in the early 2030s. To begin with, it will be built in stages along the Tornio-Porvoo route.
“In these regions, we have identified the greatest potential for development projects relating to hydrogen production and use. The network can be expanded to new areas in the future. We will hold discussions with the regions and municipalities,” Virkki concludes.
Text Matti Remes Photo Elisa Karhula
Aiheet
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