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13 January 2025 | News

Hydrogen network and production facilities to be planned in Åland

The Åland Provincial Government and Gasgrid Hydrogen Networks have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the possibilities for developing the hydrogen economy.

Hydrogen network and production facilities to be planned in Åland
Infrastrtucture from Gasgrid's Inkoo compressor room. Photo: Gasgrid

The aim of the Memorandum of Understanding is to jointly explore and map the possibilities for building a hydrogen network in Åland. At the same time, the economic potential of hydrogen in Åland will also be explored.

The aim of the cooperation between Gasgrid and the Åland Provincial Government is to map, study and plan a possible future hydrogen network, including the location of production and consumption facilities, and to define a preliminary timetable for the hydrogen economy in Åland. Relevant stakeholders, such as municipalities, public authorities and developers of wind and hydrogen projects, will be identified and involved in the development work.

Studies and analyses will be carried out to assess development needs and transmission capacity and a roadmap will be established for possible implementation. The process will identify the planning and land use processes in Åland and the technical and economic conditions for the construction of hydrogen infrastructure. The parties will also define the role of the operator of the hydrogen network in Åland. The cooperation will start by identifying the stakeholders in Åland.

The Åland Provincial Government intends to finance its share of the cooperation project with funds from the EU REPower instrument.

"I am very pleased that the cooperation with Gasgrid has now resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding. Hydrogen production has significant potential to significantly complement offshore wind power in Åland and to provide new business opportunities for the Åland industry, with significant social benefits for Åland," said Camilla Gunell, Minister of Infrastructure and Climate Change of the Åland Provincial Government.

"I am delighted to be working with the Åland Provincial Government and other stakeholders. The integrated energy market in the Baltic Sea Region offers benefits for all and now hydrogen is added as a new element. By working together, we can jointly assess developments and create the market step by step. Gasgrid will be able to bring synergies to this for the benefit of Åland, as the same things are developed on a large scale elsewhere," says Olli Sipilä, CEO of Gasgrid.