Power-to-Gas production plant planned for the Mussalo Harbour of Port of HaminaKotka

In March this year, Nordic Ren-Gas Oy and the local energy company Kotkan Energia Oy signed a project development agreement for a Power-to-Gas production plant to produce renewable methane, green hydrogen and district heating. The plant contemplated in Kotka features unique implementation, because the main processes of the plant will be located separately from each other. A carbon dioxide recovery unit will be built in Korkeakoski in Kotka to recover carbon dioxide from the flue gases of the local power plant. The production processes of green hydrogen and synthetic methane will be located at the Mussalo Harbour of the Port of HaminaKotka, where Ren-Gas has reserved a land area for the project from the City of Kotka. At full capacity, the plant is due to produce 35,000 tonnes of renewable synthetic methane annually, which corresponds to the fuel needs of approximately 1,800 heavy goods vehicles. The process heat generated in fuel production is recovered and utilised in district heating. When the production is operating at maximum capacity, the district heat generated in the process would account for up to one third of the district heat produced by Kotkan Energia.

“This project is a significant part of the road map of Kotkan Energia, according to which district heat production will be carbon neutral in 2030,” says Sami Markkanen, CEO of Kotkan Energia Oy.

Ren-Gas has projects in different parts of Finland, and Kotka has been considered from the outset as a highly favourable location for a Power-to-Gas production plant. The existing plot and infrastructure and the short distance from the carbon dioxide recovery plant to the production plant all speak for Kotka.

“The location in the port area creates an excellent framework for exporting products to other parts of the world and will definitely be a significant opportunity and competitive edge for Ren-Gas in the future,” says Saara Kujala, CEO of Nordic Ren-Gas Oy.

The project is currently in the permitting phase, and the goal is to start construction in 2024 and commercial production by the end of 2026. Ren-Gas is taking the project forward with Kotkan Energia, and both companies are very satisfied with the smooth co-operation.

“I want to highlight the excellent co-operation with both Kotkan Energia and the City of Kotka. The project has strong support, and we will go forward in a determined manner,” says Saara Kujala.