Gasgrid vetyverkot Oy and the Government of Åland have 13.1.2025 signed a letter of intent to jointly explore and map the possibilities for building a hydrogen network on Åland. At the same time, the economic potential of hydrogen on Åland will be investigated.
The aim of the cooperation between Gasgrid and the Åland is to map, study and plan a possible future hydrogen network, including locations of production and consumption facilities, and to define a preliminary timetable for the hydrogen economy. 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 a possible 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.
Åland 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 letter of intent. Hydrogen production has significant potential to complement offshore wind power on Åland and to provide new business opportunities for industries, bringing significant social benefits for Åland,” said Camilla Gunell, Minister of Infrastructure and Climate at the Government of Åland.
“I am delighted to be working with the Government of Åland 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 the benefit of Åland, as the same things are developed on a large scale also elsewhere”, says Olli Sipilä, CEO of Gasgrid.