Strategic focus on flexibility: Alpiq acquires a 125 MW BESS

With the strategic investment in the 125 MW BESS project in Finland, Alpiq is strengthening its position in the Nordic countries and as a provider of flexibility for the energy system. Flexible capacities and storage are indispensable for reliably integrating electricity from solar and wind into the energy system and keeping the electricity grid stable. The project was developed by the Finnish company Pohjan Voima, a subsidiary of the Swedish group Arise AB. The large-scale battery in Haapajärvi, which is located around 500 kilometres north of Helsinki, is scheduled to go into operation in 2027. It will be one of the largest of its kind in Finland and will make a valuable contribution to improving grid stability and strengthening security of supply.

Alpiq plans further investments in flexible systems and storage
The BESS project in Haapajärvi is Alpiq’s third investment in battery technology. The 30 MW BESS in Valkeakoski (Finland) is currently under construction and will be commissioned in the second half of 2025. The commissioning of the 100 MW BESS in northern France is scheduled for 2026. Alpiq is evaluating further investments in battery energy storage systems in Switzerland, Germany, France and the Nordic countries. In addition to BESS, Alpiq is also evaluating investments in other flexible systems and storage in geographical markets in which it is already active. Besides these investments, Alpiq has already been successfully optimising third-party batteries since 2018 and manages, for example, a 50 MW portfolio in Switzerland.

“The BESS project in Haapajärvi fits perfectly into our portfolio and our growth strategy in flexible assets in our core geographic markets,” says Lukas Gresnigt, Head International and member of Alpiq’s Executive Board. “It is a further commitment to strengthening security of supply and to combating climate change and paves the way for the energy transition by reliably integrating intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar into the energy system while contributing to grid stability.”

Alpiq expands its presence in the Nordic countries
This investment once again underscores Alpiq’s commitment to supporting the energy transition and contributing to a sustainable energy future in the Nordic region too. Alpiq has established a significant presence in the Nordic and Baltic regions with subsidiaries in Helsinki, Malmö and Oslo. In these markets, Alpiq provides a range of services for customers including asset optimisation, risk management and origination. The focus is also on long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs), where Alpiq prioritises long-term contracts to offer solutions that align with clients’ sustainability and financial objectives. And Alpiq is also pursuing plans to make investments such as the one in P2X Solutions (green hydrogen) and wants to grow further in BESS.

About Pohjan Voima
Pohjan Voima is one of Finland’s leading developers of renewable energy. The project portfolio exceeds 2 GW, covering onshore wind, solar and battery storage projects at various stages of development. The company’s mission is to deliver affordable and reliable energy while respecting local communities and nature. Pohjan Voima is part of Arise Group, a leading independent company that realises renewable energy projects. It develops, builds, sells and manages systems which generate electricity from renewable energies. Arise Group is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

Further information on Alpiq can be found at www.alpiq.com
Further information on Pohjan Voima can be found at https://pohjanvoima.fi/en/