Helsinki’s four-section hydrogen plant advances with new developments

Plans have progressed on what is believed to be the world’s first hydrogen plant combining the four different sectors of electricity, heating, transportation, and hydrogen in Helsinki, Finland.

The 3MW 3H2 pilot project, set to produce around 1,350kg of green hydrogen per day, is being developed by a trio made up of Finnish energy company Helen Oy, MAN Energy Solutions, and electrolyser specialist H-TEC Systems.

A final investment decision (FID) on the plant was reached back in April 2024, with operations set to begin in 2026.

MAN Energy Solutions will carry out the engineering, procurement, and construction of the hydrogen plant and the delivery of the related equipment, its installation and commissioning.

H-TEC Systems will supply three proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers, acting as the heart of the plant and producing the hydrogen. Once produced the hydrogen will be delivered to a nearby hydrogen station via a pipeline and distributed to customers.

The waste heat generated in the production process will be utilised in the Helen district’s heating network.

Alexander Stöckler, Head of Sales, Tendering and Project Management for the Power Segment at MAN Energy Solutions, described hydrogen as a key element for a climate-neutral future.

“It is therefore most important that energy suppliers like Helen Oy lead the way by building plants and gaining valuable operational experience with hydrogen technology. We urgently need industrial production plants to achieve economies of scale, cost reductions, and future demands.”

In June 2023, the H2 Cluster Finland released its Clean Hydrogen Economy Strategy for Finland. Within the published report, the Cluster says that Finland should be able to produce around three million tonnes of hydrogen annually by 2035.