Hydrogen Backbone Finland: Gasgrid Finland Launches Environmental Review for National Pipeline Project

On August 18, 2025, Gasgrid Finland Oy kicked off a landmark environmental impact assessment (EIA) for its first-phase national hydrogen transmission backbone, running all the way from Tornio up in Lapland down to Porvoo on the south coast. That event marked a major milestone for Hydrogen Backbone Finland, setting the stage for a robust Green Hydrogen Pipeline. It ties perfectly into Finland’s plan to supply 10% of the EU’s green hydrogen by the 2030s, boosting its profile as a leader in Clean Energy Infrastructure.

Background: From Natural Gas to Green Hydrogen

Finland, home to about 5.6 million people, used to rely on imported natural gas, but these days it’s pivoting hard towards green hydrogen. With wind farms, hydro stations and solar parks dotting the landscape, producing hydrogen via electrolysis is a no-brainer. In 2023, the government decided to spearhead Europe’s green hydrogen economy, laying the groundwork for big projects like this pipeline. Now, under ambitious decarbonization targets and a national goal to cover 10% of the EU’s green hydrogen by the 2030s, Finland is on track to slash emissions and secure energy independence.

Installing the Backbone: The Idea is Simple but Powerful

Imagine a ribbon of pipe stretching over 1,200 kilometres, built from steel engineered to handle high-pressure hydrogen. This corridor stitches together “hydrogen valleys”—clusters of producers, storage sites and customers—across the country. By dedicating a single route to hydrogen, you skip the hassle and energy loss of trucking or rail. From compressor units in Tornio to distribution hubs in Porvoo, this Green Hydrogen Pipeline promises a steady, efficient flow of clean fuel tailored for Finland’s future.

Comprehensive EIA: Laying the Groundwork

Before any shovels hit the ground, Gasgrid Finland Oy is running a robust Environmental Impact Assessment. First up is scoping—nailing down which environmental and social factors matter most, then mapping potential corridors. Next, baseline surveys record habitats, waterways and heritage sites. Impact analyses follow, gauging effects on wetlands, forests, wildlife and local communities. Finally, they propose mitigation measures—wildlife crossings, rerouted sections and restoration plans—and publish draft reports for public review and regulators’ sign-off. That’s transparency in Hydrogen EIA Finland.

Diverse Expertise: Five Regional Consultancies

Finland’s varied terrain demands local know-how. That’s why Gasgrid tapped five leading consultancies to run simultaneous EIA studies:

• AFRY Finland Oy handling North Ostrobothnia and Southwestern Finland’s mix of industry and farmland.
• Ramboll Finland Oy focusing on Sea Lapland’s sensitive coastal ecosystems.
• FCG Rakennettu Ympäristö Oy diving into Western Finland’s patchwork of forests and peatlands.
• Sweco Finland Oy covering the denser urban and industrial zones of Southern Finland.
• Worley stepping in as Owner’s Engineer, aligning design details with practical implementation plans.

Each team is engaging landowners, municipalities and indigenous Sami communities, while also consulting industry players privately to lock in realistic capacity needs.

Solving Real-World Problems in Industry

This isn’t just a show-piece—it’s built to tackle real decarbonization challenges. Steel mills in Tornio, refineries and chemical plants in Porvoo, and coastal shipping terminals can all plug into zero-emission hydrogen instead of natural gas or fossil feedstocks. Unlike wind or solar, which can be a bit finicky, a pipeline delivers hydrogen on demand. That reliability helps companies stabilize budgets and hit EU carbon-cutting targets. Plus, it paves the way for hydrogen-powered trucks and ferries—no sweat, even in icy northern waters.

Tapping into Local Resources and Innovation

What really sets this Clean Energy Infrastructure apart is its reliance on Finnish strengths. Wind farms in Ostrobothnia, hydropower stations in Lapland, and solar arrays down south all feed electrolysers that churn out hydrogen. Local universities and startups are busy perfecting next-gen electrolyser and storage tech, ensuring the pipeline runs at peak efficiency. It’s a seamless blend of Finland’s traditional metalworking prowess and cutting-edge energy innovation.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Building and operating this Green Hydrogen Pipeline will create hundreds of stable jobs—from engineers and builders to environmental managers and operators. Local suppliers, from valve makers to survey teams, will land significant contracts. Economically, towns along the route will see fresh investment in logistics hubs and storage terminals. Environmentally, strict EIA-driven safeguards will protect wetlands, peatlands and wildlife corridors, while reforestation and habitat restoration will boost biodiversity.

Collaborating Across Borders

Finland isn’t going solo on this. The project plugs into the Nordic Hydrogen Route and the Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector initiatives—both EU Projects of Common Interest. By linking up with Sweden’s Nordion Energi, it strengthens Europe’s integrated energy market and accelerates cross-border decarbonization.

Next Steps and Timeline

Gasgrid plans to wrap up the Hydrogen EIA Finland by late 2026. After public consultation and regulatory approvals, the final route will be locked in and permit applications submitted. Construction is slated to kick off in 2028, with the first pipeline segments flowing by 2030. Those initial links will serve domestic demand and pave the way for export corridors by 2040. Industry players can still join ongoing market consultations to secure their spot.

Staying Involved: Stakeholder Engagement

Open dialogue is key. Public forums, online portals and targeted workshops will run throughout each EIA phase. Landowners, municipalities and local groups can review drafts, propose alternative routes or suggest mitigation ideas. Industry partners can share timelines and capacity needs under confidentiality, ensuring the backbone meets real-world demand. It’s all about building trust and delivering a pipeline that benefits everyone.

At the end of the day, this isn’t just a spool of steel pipe snaking across Finland—it’s the backbone of a low-carbon future. By solving practical challenges with a straightforward yet robust hydrogen corridor, this network is set to spark fresh innovation, secure stable jobs and supercharge Europe’s climate goals. Whether it’s the Hydrogen Backbone Finland, the tied-in Nordic Hydrogen Route or the next wave of Clean Energy Infrastructure, this project is exactly the kind of forward-thinking we need. And that’s a future we can all get behind.