Aerial view of the summer landscape, with the Ovako steel factory on the right side of the picture. — The area of Pelkola progressed in the survey work to a more detailed impact assessment.

The city of Imatra has mapped the potential locations for the hydrogen industry

Imatra has 10 areas suitable for the hydrogen industry, of which three areas were judged to be the most suitable for the use of the hydrogen industry.

The goal of the Imatra hydrogen industry's land-use structural survey prepared as one measure of the Vetyä, virtaa Kakkoon project is to enable new forms of energy and location of new types of green transition project entities in the area.

- The structural survey provides valuable information about where new types of green transition functions can be located in Imatra, says the planning manager Marja Pelo from the city of Imatra.

The potential location areas were mapped with geospatial data analyses. In the survey work, not only placement opportunities but also the boundary conditions of placement were taken into account.

- In the structural survey we define what measures are required to implement the area for the use of the hydrogen industry, for example in terms of land use and infrastructure, states Pelo.

Kuokkasuo, Pelkola and Saarlampi in the follow-up survey

As a result of the exclusion analysis carried out as part of the survey work, areas were found where hydrogen production could be possible, taking into account the environmental boundary conditions.

- After the exclusion analysis, ten areas were left where it would be possible to place a hydrogen production plant. Three of these areas were considered to have the most potential, and more detailed studies of their characteristics were prepared, says Pelo.

The regions of Kuokkasuo, Pelkola and Saarlammi advanced to a more detailed impact assessment. In impact assessments, areas are examined holistically.

- When investigating the location possibilities of the hydrogen industry, the already existing industry must also be taken into account. The most optimal situation would be for the hydrogen user to be located as close as possible to the hydrogen production, says Pelo.

The goal is to make future ones for the planning areas of Kuokkasuo, Pelkola and Saarlammi years more detailed investigations during the period, for example regarding zoning and the necessary permits.

The Vetyä, virtaa Kaakkoon project ended in December 2023. The project was implemented in cooperation by the city of Lappeenranta, the city of Imatra, LUT University, Kouvola Innovation Oy and Cursor Oy. The project was supported by the European Regional Development Fund.