Vieremä’s only fuel station runs dry repeatedly

The sole remaining fuel station in Vieremä, northern Savonia, has run out of diesel multiple times this year, reports Yle. The municipality of 3,300 residents, with around 1,000 daily commuters, was left with just one filling station after Teboil closed its outlet last winter.

Drivers now face a 20-kilometre trip to the nearest alternative in Iisalmi. Local driver Joni Sotikov said the situation has improved since winter, when fuel shortages were frequent. Sauli Raerinne, another customer, recalled waiting 15 minutes for a single litre due to technical issues with the pump.

SEO, the cooperative running the station, is increasing delivery frequency to prevent shortages, according to CEO Arto Viljanen. The problem extends beyond Vieremä: in Tuusniemi, no fuel has been available since November after Teboil’s departure.

Osuuskauppa Peeässä, which operates a network of stations in the region, is exploring new locations in affected municipalities. Aleksi Vuorinne, the cooperative’s fuel retail manager, confirmed discussions with Tuusniemi officials over a potential site, though no investment decisions have been made.