The Oulu project will unfold in phases. The initial stage involves constructing a 5 MW hydrogen production facility and a refueling station for buses and heavy vehicles. Karl Schultheis, head of new business development at Energiequelle Finland, stated: “If the right market conditions are met, we expect the first phase to be ready by 2028. However, this is a major industrial project and investment, so the planning reservation we have now received is only one of the first steps towards making concrete investment decisions. In projects of this size, planning and studies are always carried out carefully.”
Subsequent phases aim to scale up operations. The second phase could expand the hydrogen plant’s capacity by 10–50 MW, with potential exports through a planned hydrogen pipeline or Oulu’s port, contingent on infrastructure availability. The third phase envisions a further increase to 100–500 MW, with the project’s timeline and scope depending on market dynamics and supporting infrastructure at the chosen greenfield site.
Oulu has designated the industrial site for three hydrogen production and processing facilities, including Energiequelle’s, with a combined potential capacity of up to 1.5 GW. This strategic clustering fosters efficient infrastructure development. Nils Borstelmann, managing director of Energiequelle Finland, remarked: “We believe that Oulu’s strategy of bundling several hydrogen production operators in the same area is the right one, as it supports the development of hydrogen transmission infrastructure in the region and sends a clear message to the energy-intensive industry that they can count on hydrogen production in the region in the future. This is exactly the kind of predictable investment environment and confidence-building policies we hope to see from local, national and European decision-makers.”
The project aligns with efforts to advance clean energy solutions in Finland, leveraging Oulu’s industrial capabilities to support sustainable hydrogen production. By prioritizing careful planning, Energiequelle aims to ensure the project’s long-term viability while meeting the needs of energy-intensive sectors.
As the Oulu hydrogen park progresses, it is poised to enhance regional energy reliability and contribute to Finland’s renewable energy goals. The collaboration between Energiequelle and local authorities underscores a shared commitment to fostering innovation and infrastructure development, setting a foundation for future green hydrogen initiatives in the region.
