Vantaan Energia and the Port of Helsinki have reached an agreement to establish a major industrial-scale carbon dioxide terminal, the Vuosaari Carbon Hub, at Vuosaari Harbour. The collaboration represents a significant advancement for Vantaan Energia's Vantaa Carbon Capture project, Finland's first industrial-scale carbon dioxide capture and storage initiative.

The Vantaa Carbon Capture project will create a completely new infrastructure and value chain for carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage in Finland. According to the companies, the project will significantly reduce fossil emissions and create a value chain in Finland that enables new business opportunities.

Project Operations and Infrastructure

Under the collaboration agreement, the liquefaction, intermediate storage, and shipping of carbon dioxide will take place at Vuosaari Harbour. Carbon dioxide will be captured at Vantaan Energia's Waste-to-energy plant during the thermal treatment of waste and then transported to the port to await shipment.

At the port facility, the carbon dioxide will be liquefied and bunkered onto ships designed to withstand high pressures and low temperatures. The carbon dioxide will then be transported to locations such as the North Sea, where it will be permanently stored in geological formations. The companies state that permanent storage is a technology currently in use, and storage will be procured as a service.

Kalle Patomeri, Senior Vice President of Circular Economy business at Vantaan Energia, highlighted the strategic advantages of the location. “The undisputed advantage of Vuosaari Harbour is its central location. The Vuosaari Harbour has excellent road and rail connections and is only six kilometers from Vantaan Energia's Waste-to-energy plant,” Patomeri said.

Facility Development Plans

The Port of Helsinki has outlined specific infrastructure developments required for the project. Vesa Marttinen, Vice President of Cargo operations at the Port of Helsinki, explained that “a liquefaction facility is being planned for the new logistics area we acquired last year, and shipping operations will also require renovations to the quay area.”

Marttinen expressed enthusiasm about the facility's potential broader impact, stating: “Permanent storage of carbon dioxide is a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and we are excited that the Vuosaari Harbour has the potential to become a logistics hub, Vuosaari Carbon Hub, which will serve Finnish carbon capture operators also more broadly in the future.”

The safety of the entire process is being designed in close cooperation with various authorities and partners, according to the companies.

Business Model and Market Impact

Beyond direct emission reductions, Vantaan Energia plans to build carbon removal units for sale by capturing biogenic carbon dioxide from waste treatment. Companies, organizations, and cities can purchase these units to offset their unavoidable carbon emissions from operations.

Patomeri noted the dual benefits of the project: “For Vantaan Energia, the project not only enables fossil emission reductions but also the emission reduction units generated through the storage of bio-based carbon dioxide, bringing new business opportunities.”

The total amount of carbon dioxide captured by Vantaan Energia's Vantaa Carbon Capture project will correspond to approximately one-third of Vantaa's emissions. The infrastructure currently being planned would also enable other operators to capture carbon dioxide, thereby multiplying the project's impact and creating new clean transition business opportunities throughout Finland.

Timeline and Funding Requirements

The preliminary planning for the Vantaa Carbon Capture project is intended to be completed in early 2026. Following initial planning, basic planning will commence, after which an investment decision will be made. According to the current schedule, commissioning could take place as early as 2030.

Implementing the project requires substantial funding from both the Finnish government and the EU. The companies have identified the Vantaa Carbon Capture project as one of Vantaan Energia's most significant strategic investments in the coming years.

Patomeri emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative, stating: “We're very pleased with the cooperation and the site at the Port of Helsinki. The project would not be possible without partners and support.”

The project represents a significant step in Finland's carbon capture and storage capabilities and could serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country. The Vuosaari Carbon Hub is positioned to become a central logistics facility for Finnish carbon capture operations beyond just Vantaan Energia's own activities.

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