Finland’s first gas engine power plant opens in Tornio to stabilise grid amid renewable fluctuations

Finland’s first modern gas engine power plant designed to balance the national grid began operations in Tornio this month, providing rapidly adjustable electricity to counter weather-dependent fluctuations in wind and solar power, reports Yle.

The facility, operated by Tornion Voima, can start up in under five minutes, offering critical support during grid disruptions or peak demand periods. Initially running on natural gas, the plant aims to transition to biogas and synthetic renewable gases in the coming years.

“We’ve built Finland’s first power plant of this kind specifically for the balancing market and grid support,” said Aki Hakulinen, CEO of Tornion Voima. He highlighted its flexibility, comparing it to “a sauna stove that’s ready to heat up instantly—only faster.”

With a total capacity of 43 megawatts, the plant can supply energy equivalent to powering around 5,500 eight-kilowatt sauna heaters. Its primary role is to provide fast-response adjustment capacity as Finland’s share of weather-dependent wind and solar power grows.

The plant will supply electricity to its parent company EPV Energia and its owners, including the adjacent Outokumpu steel mill. In regional outages, it can also help restore the local grid. “If the northern grid collapses, this plant can step in to bring it back online,” Hakulinen explained.

While the plant currently uses natural gas, Hakulinen expects a shift to biogas and renewable alternatives by the early 2030s, as supply and market conditions improve. The investment marks a strategic step for Tornion Voima, reinforcing its position as a local energy producer and innovator in grid-stabilising solutions.

“These plants will become more common,” Hakulinen predicted. “As we phase out adjustable capacity and add weather-dependent production, we’ll need facilities like this to support the grid and smooth out price spikes.”