Helen is constructing Helsinki’s first green hydrogen plant in Vuosaari, marking their entry into hydrogen production.
The 3H2 – Helsinki Hydrogen Hub pilot plant project – will have a capacity of about three MW. The hydrogen produced will be primarily used through a new hydrogen filling station intended for heavy transport, potentially also delivered to customers in containers.
The plant will be located near Helsinki’s district heating network and the busy Vuosaari Harbour. The waste heat generated from the production process will be utilized in Helen’s district heating network, with the plant’s overall energy efficiency surpassing 90%.
Sari Mannonen, SVP of New business and hydrogen, stated that the 3H2 project unifies four distinct sectors: electricity, transportation, heating, and hydrogen, creating a level of flexibility between them.
The objective is to kickstart hydrogen production in the new plant by 2026 and inaugurate the filling station in 2027. The project aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 3,700 tonnes annually, factoring in the replacement of fossil fuels and heat waste utilization.
The 3H2 plant will produce hydrogen using renewable electricity, ensuring emission-free production. This approach is a significant step away from traditional hydrogen production which involves fossil fuels and causes substantial carbon dioxide emissions. Green hydrogen has become an attractive option especially for the heavy transport sector, along with other areas where electrification is challenging.
This project represents the first globally to integrate hydrogen production into the optimization of the total societal energy system. Another critical aim of the project is to test the new hydrogen technologies, ensure their functionality and maximise energy efficiency.
Following the pilot plant’s construction, Helen plans to kick off large-scale hydrogen production in the Vuosaari power plant area while also carrying out initial studies for an industrial hydrogen valley development. The company set the target of achieving carbon-neutral energy production by 2030 and plans to phase out combustion-based energy by 2040.
