The hydrogen industry aims to increase Finland’s energy self-sufficiency and drive economic growth

A Ren-Gas plant being built next to the Tarastenjärvi waste treatment center in Tampere will produce e-methane from hydrogen. CEO Saara Kujala identifies at least three societal dimensions: emission reduction, energy self-sufficiency, and economic growth. This article launches a series connected to the new economic strategy for the Tampere urban region for 2026–2030.

The hydrogen industry can benefit Finland and the Tampere region on multiple levels, says Saara Kujala, CEO of Nordic Ren-Gas, a project developer specializing in green hydrogen and e-methane. Kujala highlights three key impacts: energy self-sufficiency, economic growth, and emission reduction.

“I think one of the great aspects of our projects is that they can bring multifaceted benefits to Finland. The main driver is the global need to move away from fossil fuels,” Kujala says.

Tampereen Energia and Ren-Gas have agreed to channel carbon dioxide from the Tammervoima waste-to-energy plant to Ren-Gas’s e-methane production facility, which is being built in Tarastenjärvi. E-methane is a synthetic, renewable gas that can be used in both road and maritime transport. According to Ren-Gas’s plans, the e-methane plant will produce 170 GWh of renewable methane and 180 GWh of carbon-free district heating annually.

“The production capacity of the Tampere plant is enough for about 300 trucks, which is a significant number. On the other hand, there are around 100,000 trucks on Finnish roads, so we have a lot of potential and work ahead to transition all of them to renewable fuels in the future. When we add in demand from other European countries, as well as maritime and aviation sectors, we get a glimpse of the scale of work needed to reduce climate emissions,” Kujala estimates, outlining the growth potential of the hydrogen and methane economy and identifying areas where fossil fuels could be phased out.

Saara Kujala, CEO of Nordic Ren-Gas, a company developing hydrogen and e-methane. Photographer: Petri Kangas / Business Tampere

Economic growth

According to Kujala, Finland is an attractive location for hydrogen industry players due to the availability of affordable renewable electricity. She highlights a strong power grid, a favorable operating environment, and, on a European scale, streamlined and relatively fast permitting processes as key advantages.

The Tampere region is well-connected to Finland’s robust 400 kV electricity transmission network and sits at a strategic north–south gas transmission crossroads. Within a two-hour drive of the Tampere urban area, 80% of Finland’s industrial activity takes place. The region’s hydrogen industry is further boosted by the Hydrogen Hills collaboration initiative.

In addition to Ren-Gas, the Norwegian energy company Freija is planning to build one of Europe’s largest fuel production plants in Nokia.

Kujala explains that Ren-Gas’s project in Tarastenjärvi, Tampere, is the first of the six projects the company has planned. It is particularly significant because it will house the company’s central control room. Currently, Ren-Gas is in the simulation phase, testing the plant’s efficient and safe operation. This simulation environment has been developed in collaboration with the paper and energy technology company Valmet.

“Especially now, as we begin operations, collaboration with educational institutions and universities is crucial for training skilled operators and staff. Their training must start well in advance,” Kujala says, emphasizing the regional partnerships and the job opportunities being created.

Emission reduction

According to Kujala, the environmental benefits are twofold.

On one hand, the mentioned actions aim to directly reduce fossil fuel use. On the other hand, the plant’s operations generate waste heat, which can be used to warm homes in Tampere, Kujala explains.

“Tampere is a leader in its emission reduction targets, and there is a need for renewable district heating. We can produce it competitively because the process generates waste heat. Instead of letting it escape into the atmosphere, we can capture it,” Kujala describes.

Kujala praises Central Tampere as a growing and innovative city, which also provides certainty for the company.

“The investments we make, whether in joint development efforts or education, benefit operations and bring long-term lessons,” Kujala concludes.