Finnish companies joined forces – the national hydrogen cluster cooperates to promote the transition to a hydrogen economy

Europe meets its climate goals with the help of hydrogen. The EU is undergoing an ambitious transition to a hydrogen economy, and Finland should be actively involved in this transition. A company-led national hydrogen cluster has been established to boost the hydrogen economy and develop the export of hydrogen-related solutions.

The national hydrogen cluster speeds up the development of the hydrogen economy and the competitiveness of enterprises by co-operating to promote investment and an operating environment favorable to the development of the hydrogen economy. The goal is to create new business, exports and jobs in Finland.

– The national hydrogen cluster brings the actors together. Systems-level change requires the entire industry and business to be involved, says Outi Ervasti, President of the National Hydrogen Cluster.

Hydrogen Cluster Finland, which will start operations in February 2021, will include about 30 companies important for the development of the hydrogen economy. The steering group consists of representatives of ABB, Aurelia Turbines, Gasgrid Finland, Fortum, Neste, SSAB, UPM and Wärtsilä.

– Our main goal is to accelerate investment projects that develop companies’ hydrogen economy. Funding and regulation play an important role in this, Outi Ervasti says.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has been involved in planning the creation of Hydrogen Cluster Finland. The cluster hopes for good co-operation with the Ministry and, for example, Business Finland. In the Ministry, the emergence of a national hydrogen cluster is also seen as an indication of the vigilance of companies.

– At a meeting of companies in the field in September, I made a strong call for the launch of a national hydrogen cluster. I thank the companies for their prompt organization. The activity of companies and the joining of forces will help Finland to remain at the forefront of the development of the hydrogen economy, says Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä.

Further information:

Outi Ervasti, puheenjohtaja, Neste,  outi.ervasti@neste.com

The full press release is available here (in finnish)