Fortum to close Meri-Pori plant despite Orpo reserve call

Fortum will close its Meri-Pori coal-fired power plant in spring 2027, despite Prime Minister Petteri Orpo saying the plant is important to keep in reserve, Yle reports.

The plant in Tahkoluoto, Pori, has been used by Finland’s National Emergency Supply Agency for more than two years. According to information published last summer, it has not produced electricity apart from test runs.

Fortum said last summer that it would end operations at the plant at the beginning of March 2027. The power station, which began operating in 1994, will then be dismantled.

Orpo told business newspaper Kauppalehti that rapidly available energy is needed during cold, windless weeks, adding that fossil energy remains usable. He also identified keeping the Meri-Pori plant in reserve as important for balancing power.

Yle asked Fortum whether the prime minister’s comments had changed the company’s decision. Fortum’s communications department replied by text message that the decision to close the plant in spring 2027 remains in force and that there have been no changes.

Orpo or his staff had not yet commented further on the matter.