In a significant step towards sustainable aviation, the City of Oulu and French energy company Verso Energy have inked a cooperation agreement to build a hydrogen processing plant in Oulu's port area. This ambitious project positions Oulu as a leading hydrogen hub in the Nordics and marks a major milestone in Finland's green transition. The plant, slated to be the largest of its kind in Finland, will have a yearly production capacity of 80,000 tonnes of e-SAF (sustainable aviation fuel), representing a €1.4 billion investment and the creation of 250 jobs.

While Verso Energy has several hydrogen and synthetic fuel projects in the pipeline in France, the Oulu plant stands out as one of their first international endeavors. The company specializes in producing synthetic fuels for both aircraft and maritime transport, addressing the growing demand for cleaner alternatives in these sectors. With the EU mandating a 2% blend of SAF in fuel used at its largest airports starting this year, the Oulu plant will play a critical role in meeting this increasing demand. Currently, Finland lacks any SAF production facilities.

The cooperation agreement solidifies the City of Oulu's commitment to support the project by expediting the zoning process for the Port of Oulu’s green transition industrial area. Marko Kilpeläinen, Director of Urban Environment Services for the City of Oulu, highlighted this efficient collaboration as a key strength in attracting such projects, contrasting it with the more rigid processes in some other countries. The parallel progression of zoning and project planning allows for greater flexibility and faster development.

The agreement, which runs until the end of 2026, sets the stage for the implementation agreement, which will outline threshold investments and the respective responsibilities of each party. Oulu Mayor Ari Alatossava expressed his satisfaction with the project's progress, emphasizing the city's vital role in the green transition.

The agreement, formalized at the Northern Power forum in Oulu, underscores the city's strategic importance in the development of emission-free aviation fuel. Verso Energy CEO Antoine Huard emphasized Oulu's ideal conditions for environmentally friendly e-SAF production and said, “Finland is a very attractive country for e-SAF production, and the Oulu site has all the qualities to be a very competitive site at the European level. Successful collaboration with the City and Port of Oulu has been key to the project's development, showcasing Finland's potential to combine job creation, industrial growth, and sustainability.”