KIC InnoEnergy plans renewable fuel facility in Kuopio with city land reservation request

Plans are underway for a facility in Kuopio that will produce renewable fuels. The company behind this initiative is KIC InnoEnergy S.E., which is seeking a land reservation from the city in the Sorsasalo industrial zone. Established in 2010 and funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, KIC InnoEnergy aims to unite energy sector players to accelerate the green transition, with a goal of achieving a low-carbon Europe by 2050.

The company is requesting a reservation for a site previously designated for Finnpulp, located near the Mondi Powerflute plant. The city has been eager for a significant investment in Sorsasalo for some time, with potential candidates including electricity-intensive enterprises such as data centers and projects focused on green transition and circular economy.

The enhancement of electrical transmission infrastructure is vital for attracting large investments to Sorsasalo. The area will notably benefit from the Järvilinja project, an initiative led by Fingrid to strengthen the national grid. This project involves the construction of nearly 300 kilometers of new power lines extending from Vala in Northern Ostrobothnia to Joroinen in Southern Savonia, slated for completion by the end of 2026.

Concurrently, Savon Voima, the local electricity company, is upgrading its own 110 kV power lines in Northern Savonia, which will intersect with the Järvilinja. This project is expected to wrap up in February, with plans to further extend the upgrades to Toivala, including the construction of a new power line to Sorsasalo.

The industrial site gained national attention when Finnpulp announced plans for the largest ever pulp mill there, but those plans fell through as the company failed to secure an environmental permit. The Kuopio city planning board will discuss KIC InnoEnergy’s land reservation request next Wednesday, November 27. Further updates are expected.