Gasgrid, the gas transmission network company, has confirmed that plans to extend a hydrogen pipeline to Southeast Finland will not be pursued in the near term. Instead, the pipeline will run from Tornio along the Gulf of Bothnia coast to Southern Finland, with the eastern branch terminating in Porvoo. Previously, Southeast Finland, including Kymenlaakso and South Karelia, had been considered as potential locations for the pipeline due to initial interest. However, Gasgrid's decision reflects a lack of sufficient demand for hydrogen to justify the investment in the infrastructure in this region.

Heli Virkki, head of customer project development at Gasgrid, explained that the current activities surrounding hydrogen projects in Southeast Finland are limited, making it difficult to establish a pipeline there. The absence of demand has been a decisive factor in the planning process, indicating that local hydrogen initiatives are not yet substantial enough to merit the inclusion of their area into the hydrogen distribution network. Gasgrid remains open to future options should sufficient demand arise, but for now, the focus is on other regions.

Additionally, experts from LUT University in Lappeenranta, such as Professor Jero, highlighted that while this decision does not have immediate implications for the area’s energy transition, it does raise questions about the future viability of hydrogen initiatives in Southeast Finland. The anticipation of potential future development hinges on growing interest and demand in hydrogen as a clean energy source, which may slowly shape the energy landscape in the region.