Vetyalfa Oy is planning to build a green hydrogen refinery in Vaala, Northern Ostrobothnia. The project aims to build a renewable energy-based production plant for hydrogen separation and synthetic refined products with a maximum capacity of about 1000 MW.
In addition, there is a plan to build a solar power production area (about 200 MWp) close to the hydrogen separation and further processing plant, which will supply the refinery with the needed renewable energy.
When completed, the green hydrogen refinery project would produce a maximum of 150,000 tonnes of hydrogen and further processed green hydrogen products such as liquid fuels.
The refinery can also utilize other wind and solar power capacity developed by Tuulialfa Oy. In the hydrogen refinery, the electrical fuel processed from green hydrogen could consist of synthetic methane or methanol, among other things. The final further processed hydrogen product will be specified as the project planning progresses.
”Tuulialfa and its subsidiary Vetyalfa are taking Finland towards a hydrogen economy,” says the CEO Antti Tanskanen. ”Our project supports Finland’s national goal of achieving a leading position in the hydrogen economy in Europe and a 10% share of the EU’s emission-free hydrogen production in 2030.”
The planned area of the hydrogen refinery is located 25 kilometers east of the Vaala municipal center, right next to the National Road 22 and the railway network. In addition to the electricity transmission grid operator Fingrid Oyj’s 220 kV power transmission line, a new 400 kV substation and 400 kV and 110 kV power transmission lines are being planned near the area. The planned area is hundreds of hectares in its entirety, of which the production of hydrogen, its further processing, and production support would require an area of about 20 hectares. The final size of the hydrogen refinery and solar power production area will be specified as the planning progresses.
The project area is located on forestry land. There are no permanent or holiday homes near the area.
The hydrogen refining plant requires at least a town plan. If necessary, a component master plan will also be drawn up. The EIA procedure should also be applied – especially if the plant produces electrolytically other things than hydrogen – also based on an individual case decision. An environmental permit, a building permit and a water abstraction permit in accordance with the Water Act must also be applied for the plant. Large-scale operations require a chemical safety license.
Hydrogen-powered project for Vaala municipality
If realized, the hydrogen refinery would bring in several dozen permanent jobs, up to a maximum of over a hundred. The refinery building site would employ several hundred people. The indirect employment effects of the hydrogen project would be several times greater due to the need for intermediate products and subcontractor services from other sectors.
In addition to the tax revenue from local employment, the refinery would bring Vaala direct tax revenue from real estate tax, local tax, and corporation tax. In addition, the green hydrogen refinery would improve the municipality’s appeal and enable the growth of new companies that need green hydrogen and the electric fuels produced from it. The maximum value of the hydrogen refinery investment corresponds to 1 – 3 billion euros.
Together with its subsidiary Vetyalfa Oy, Tuulialfa Oy is developing the Group’s green hydrogen production plants, which utilize wind and solar power, further processing projects for various synthetic fuels, and electricity storage projects. At the same time, it aims to increase the value of the land owned by its partners. The operating model is based on close cooperation with landowners and municipalities. Together, Tuulialfa and Vetyalfa enable a unique energy refining value chain to ensure a safe and smooth licensing and investment project for the energy markets of the future.
For more information:
Antti Tanskanen, Managing director / CEO, tel. +358 44 977 0409
Reija Knuutila, Business Director, tel. +358 50 379 3735
