LL.M., M.Sc. (Econ.) Reija Knuutila has been appointed CEO of Vetyalfa Oy, which manages hydrogen refinery projects. Knuutila will transfer to the position from the role of Vetyalfa’s Business Director, in addition to which he has held the position of Development Director of Tuulialfa, which is part of the same Alfa Group entity. Prior to joining Alfa Group, Knuutila worked as a lawyer at OX2.
“It is inspiring to be able to lead the next phase of Vetyalfa at a time when the opportunities of the hydrogen economy in Finland are beginning to materialise. We have a strong project entity and a lot of expertise around us. Although the operating environment is challenging, I believe in long-term development and that Finland is well placed to build a significant clean energy business,” Knuutila says.
Vetyalfa has compiled a significant portfolio of renewable electricity-based hydrogen projects. The company has green hydrogen refinery projects in Northern Finland in Kemijärvi, Rovaniemi, Utajärvi and Vaala. “We will continue to develop all refinery projects and at the same time start looking for partners for our projects,” Knuutila says.
“Finland has many strengths, starting with good access to green electricity. Of course, the last few years have been mixed for the developers of the hydrogen economy, and the general economic uncertainty has slowed down some of the projects in Europe. At the same time, the market continues to see strong potential for well-prepared projects, and the development work at Vetyalfa, has progressed systematically.”
“The EU’s key task would now be to stabilise the investment environment by clarifying the regulation of the hydrogen economy so that it supports the long-term development of projects and provides operators with a sufficiently predictable outlook for the coming years,” Knuutila says. “Fortunately, more positive policies are now being prepared within the EU, as well as in Germany, a country that is important for the hydrogen economy.”
Knuutila also hopes that Finland will adopt policies to promote renewable energy. Hydrogen economy projects and, for example, the production of renewable e-fuels need a lot more green electricity – for example, wind power also in eastern Finland.
Antti Tanskanen, CEO of Alfa Group, who has led Vetyalfa until now, will take over as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vetyalfa. At the same time, Tanskanen will continue as the CEO of Tuulialfa Oy, which focuses on wind power projects.
Further information:
Reija Knuutila, CEO of Vetyalfa Oy, tel. 050 379 3735
Antti Tanskanen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vetyalfa Oy and CEO of Alfa Group, tel. 044 977 0409
Vetyalfa is part of the Alfa Group, which also includes Tuulialfa Oy, which develops wind power and electricity grid projects, and Solaralfa Oy, which focuses on solar energy and electricity storage projects. The strategy of Alfa Group is to enable a comprehensive value chain of renewable energy in Finland. This will be ensured by a broad project portfolio that will enable us to increase the production capacity of synthetic fuels to meet the needs of the market well into the 2030s.