Suomen Voima's Noste energy storage project is progressing in Kemijärvi. The reservation agreement for the Kapusta pumped storage power plant project has been signed, and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure and zoning will begin.

The aim of the Noste programme is to build 1–3 small-scale pumped storage power plants in Northern Finland to promote Finland's green transition and balance the energy availability.  The first power plant is scheduled to start operating during the current decade.

The operation of a pumped storage power plant is based on storing the potential energy of water by pumping water into a higher upper basin and discharging it through a turbine into the water body below. There are no such energy storage facilities in operation in Finland yet, and this is almost a completely new type of project for stakeholders, authorities and consultants alike.

The zoning of the energy storage facility (pumped storage plant) proceeds in parallel with the environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedure. Nature surveys in the area have already begun, and the plan will be presented to the participants by the summer. Once the plan has entered into force, a water permit and the necessary building permits will also be applied for.

Read the full release on Suomen Voima Oy's website.