Finland accelerates hydrogen economy

The Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy supported expanding the group-level mandate of the wholly state-owned Gasgrid Finland Oy to include hydrogen transmission infrastructure and the development of a related hydrogen market in Finland.

The ambitious climate targets set by Finland and the EU, the rise in energy prices and the phasing out of Russian fossil energy have accelerated the need to find new energy solutions, particularly emission-free ones. In the future climate-neutral energy system, hydrogen plays an important role in the introduction of emission-free solutions.

Gasgrid Finland Oy has been responsible for ensuring gas transmission in Finland and for securing the smooth operation of the gas system without disruption under all circumstances. In the future, the company’s strategic interest will include developing the transmission of hydrogen and its gaseous derivatives and hydrogen transmission infrastructure and safeguarding their smooth and disruption-free operation.

A subsidiary, VetyVerkko Oy, will be founded by Gasgrid for this purpose, capitalised through its current financing arrangements and cash flow from its business operations. If necessary, the State may recapitalise the company if new projects prove significant for scaling up the hydrogen economy.

The development of the hydrogen economy has been accelerated by the current geopolitical situation and, consequently, the need to reduce dependency on imported energy. Due to the energy crisis, it has become necessary to scale up the development of Finland’s national energy security, energy independence and competitiveness.

Through measures taken by the public authorities, it is possible to generate low-carbon hydrogen production capacity and accelerate the utilisation of low-carbon hydrogen in industry and transport and in balancing the energy market, especially the electricity market. The transmission capacity of the gas system is considerably higher than that of the electricity system, and this transmission capacity could be used, for example, to transfer electricity-produced low-carbon gases, such as hydrogen. At the same time, this would offer valuable flexibility to the electricity system.

The legislative proposals concerning the hydrogen market, published by the European Commission in connection with the ongoing preparation of gas market legislation, open up a clear framework for the operation and role of hydrogen network operators by extending the current provisions on transmission network operators to apply to hydrogen network operators.

The draft Climate and Energy Strategy, currently in the final stages of preparation, also states that Finland’s energy supply is based on decentralised energy production, diversified energy sources and a reliable transmission and distribution system. The draft conclusions lay emphasis on preparedness for coordinated national development of hydrogen networks and related infrastructure, proactively before the regulatory framework of the gas package is introduced.

According to the Government Programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government, Finland aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. The establishment of the national hydrogen network will promote the achievement of Finland’s carbon neutrality targets. The hydrogen network can enable efficient energy and raw material transfer and advance sustainable growth through more extensive utilisation of renewable energy.

Minister of Finance Annika Saarikko, said, “Gasgrid’s hydrogen business is an excellent continuation of the Government’s determined energy policy. Hydrogen-based solutions enable us to reduce both emissions and the price of energy.”

Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä, said, “The key guidelines for the hydrogen economy are included in the Climate and Energy Strategy, which will be submitted to Parliament on the week beginning Monday 27 June. The political decision made by the Government’s Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy (TALPO) gives a preview of the hydrogen section of the strategy.”