BotH2nia went to SuomiAreena: What did we learn?
Finnish hydrogen industry players built a dedicated Vetyareena—or Hydrogen Arena—in this year’s SuomiAreena, Finland's most significant annual public debate forum. This year, SuomiAreena was held in Pori from 27 to 30 June. The Vetyareena event offered a comprehensive overview of Finland’s hydrogen economy, practical examples of hydrogen production, the innovative solutions it enables and the keys to Finland’s success in the hydrogen economy.
And what did we learn?
📜 The Clean Hydrogen Economy Strategy drafted by companies in Vetyklusteri - H2 Cluster Finland describes, in detail, how inter-ministerial cooperation with the private sector can lead to significant gains in economic growth and environmental benefits.
📄 The new government program is in many ways consistent with these descriptions.
💰 Economic public support to take the described actions will be modest in Finland compared with many global competitors.
🔔 Competitive advantages like lots of wind, space, and cheap electricity don't automatically translate to competitiveness. There is still a gap to bridge before they sell in the global market as cutting-edge products and services.
💡 To differ from heavily supported other players, the products and services provided by Finnish actors need to be economically as viable as their less sustainable competitors.
🎓 This means that robust and continuous development efforts are needed within companies to produce solutions where resource efficiency leads to both environmental and economic gains. Research institutions and education providers that grow this crucial know-how are deeply rooted in their local communities, the hydrogen-valleys-to-become.
🛠 Other actors concerned with the vitality of the Finnish regions are municipalities, their development companies, and the whole regional governance layer.
A conclusion:
There is a giant bridge to build from the municipalities and regions in Finland to the global hydrogen markets if we want to turn Finland into the clean energy superpower described in the hydrogen strategy and the governmental program. At least the mission for BotH2nia lives! Cross-border, public-private, tangible hydrogen development to turn the Baltic Sea area into the Hydrogen Bay of the North.
More reading: Check BotH2nia's tweets from #vetyareena on Twitter
Photo credits for the Vetyareena images: Kristinestads Näringslivscentral / Kristiinankaupungin Elinkeinokeskus
Thank you for the invitations to panel debates: Gasgrid Finland Oy and Flexens Oy Ab
