We are delighted to share that a significant milestone has been achieved in Harjavalta – eMethane production has started at our Customer P2X Solutions’ methanation unit! In other words, the microbes living inside the Q Power bioreactors have initiated the methanation process and started producing methane. This is a major step forward towards industrial scale eMethane production.
Reaching this point has required an enormous amount of work and commitment from all of us at Q Power as well as close collaboration with numerous partners. It has been very rewarding to see how green hydrogen and carbon dioxide, which are fed into the reactors, have been converted to methane. This has been very promising achievement towards more sustainable energy production in Finland.
Historical moment in the development of Finland’s hydrogen economy
The Harjavalta methanation plant is Finland’s first industrial scale eMethane production facility. Its commissioning marks a significant step towards renewable energy production and development of the hydrogen economy. eMethane production enables the utilization of carbon-neutral energy and provides a new solution for replacing fossil fuels.
eMethane, or synthetic methane, is produced by combining hydrogen made with renewable energy and carbon dioxide. The process enables efficient storage and transportation of renewable energy, as methane has a high energy density and widely known treatment and logistics options. eMethane can be stored, transported and utilized in existing infrastructure and it has numerous end-use applications — including transport sector and industrial applications.
Distributed eMethane production to solve climate and market challenges
The climate crisis and geopolitical situation have highlighted the importance of renewable energy and new alternative energy sources. Combating climate change requires both technological development and also political will. Decreasing the use of fossil fuels is not only an environmental issue but also a strategic and economic necessity. Renewable energy, green hydrogen and synthetic methane play a key role in this development.
The changes in energy infrastructure supports the shift towards decentralized energy production, where energy sources can be utilized more flexibly in different regions. This makes energy systems more resilient and reduces exposure to market disruptions. Especially in Europe, where the need for energy self-sufficiency is growing, Finland has a unique opportunity to take a leading role in the development and production of green hydrogen and its derivatives. Not only from a climate and environmental perspective but also from the viewpoint of security of supply, competitiveness, and geopolitical strategy.
eMethane Production Builds a New Kind of Energy Security
The start of methane production in Harjavalta demonstrates how collaboration, expertise, and innovation can advance the possibilities of sustainable and resilient energy production.
During the coming weeks, we will continue the commissioning of the methanation plant, process optimization, and increasing microbial activity. We look forward to seeing the development of eMethane production in the weeks ahead. At the same time, we are closely monitoring global developments — the energy markets are undergoing a transformation where clean, domestic, and decentralized energy production is gaining new strategic value.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to enabling this important step towards cleaner, more sustainable, and geopolitically stronger energy production! In particular, we would like to thank our Customer P2X Solutions Oy for the excellent collaboration and hard work that has made Finland’s first eMethane production facility possible.
For more information:
Eero Paunonen
CEO of Q Power
eero.paunonen@qpower.fi
+358 44 425 2260
