The investment is part of Oulun Energia’s strategy to pursue robust growth through the green transition. The development and flexible use of a new kind of energy system play a key role in this. For example, the battery energy storage system can store renewable electricity generated by wind and solar power, making it available during periods of high electricity demand in Finland. This enhances the security of supply and helps to smooth out fluctuations in electricity prices based on market conditions.

“The demand for electricity storage is continually increasing as the green transition advances and society’s energy requirements grow. As a result, the electricity system must have significantly greater flexibility capacity, which the industrial-scale battery energy storage system currently under construction will help address with practical solutions,” says Mikko Vesterinen, head of assets at Oulun Energia.

The battery now under construction is Oulun Energia’s first investment focused on electricity storage. Previous battery investments have been limited to storing heat. The battery energy storage system will be constructed in the Toppila power plant area, where Oulun Energia already operates its own power plant, an electric boiler for district heat production, and a large district heat accumulator. Construction of the battery energy storage system is scheduled to begin as early as summer 2025, with commissioning of the storage system planned for 2026. Alfen, a European energy specialist that has been developing energy storage solutions since 2011, will supply the battery energy storage system to Oulun Energia.

In line with our new strategy, we are preparing to replace the Toppila 2 unit with new types of energy solutions. However, Toppila will remain a key site for Oulun Energia, and the investments made there will introduce a new level of flexibility to the energy system of the future.