The City of Imatra and Freija AS, a Norwegian company developing e-methane production facilities, have agreed to reserve approximately 13 hectares in the Pelkola industrial area. The company intends to develop a plant to produce e-methane using electricity and bio-based carbon dioxide. The plant will be connected to the natural gas network in Finland and thus in Europe. The e-methane it will produce is designed to replace fossil natural gas for heavy transport.
Freija is responsible for project development, such as applying for permits, engineering, financing and construction. If the project goes ahead as planned, the plant could be operational by 2031.
Freija is part of the Norwegian Vanir Green Industries group, which aims to develop and scale up clean transition investment projects. The company is currently developing a similar project in the Tampere region.
The Pelkola site has already been the subject of a site reservation agreement with the Norwegian company Norsk-e-Fuel. Following the reservation by Freija AS, the site is now practically fully occupied.
- Freija brings strong expertise and the project builds on the region's strengths, which include good electricity connections, logistical infrastructure and gas network. We are confident in the company's ability to develop a commercially viable plant in the region," says Mayor Matias Hilden.
The development of the Pelkola area will also require investments from the grid company Fingrid. Discussions with Fingrid and also with the government give Mr Hilden confidence that the region's electricity supply will be secured.
