🇫🇮 Gasgrid updates the H₂ transmission network route plan

Helsinki, Finland – August 13, 2026 – Gasgrid Finland has updated the route plan for the national hydrogen transmission network. The updates aim to minimise the impact on, amongst other things, residential areas, groundwater, the environment and other forms of land use. The most significant reason for the changes is the feedback received from landowners, local residents and other stakeholders. The project’s technical feasibility study has been completed, and it confirmed that the project is technically feasible and has strong market potential.

Route planning for the transmission network at Gasgrid is currently at the environmental impact assessment (EIA) stage. As the planning progresses, the route will be refined in collaboration with landowners, local authorities and other stakeholders in order to minimise the impact on the environment and other land uses.

Behind the scenes: thousands of meetings and many constructive discussions

Since September 2025, more than 50 consultation events have been held in connection with the route planning. Some of these were invitation-only events for landowners, whilst others were open to the public as part of the environmental impact assessment process. Participation was active at all events, and many important discussions took place. In total, over 6,000 people attended the events. At these events, the project received both support and criticism, and Gasgrid is keen to continue close dialogue with landowners along the route. Further meetings will be organised regionally and online during the coming autumn.

Changes in every EIA area

The underground pipeline will run from Sea Lapland to Southern Finland, and its planning is progressing in stages, area by area. An updated route plan was published on August 10, 2026, and feedback on this can be submitted to Gasgrid in the same way as before. The route plan may be refined in later project phases.

There are now alternative alignments at several points along the route. In addition, individual sections of the route have been removed, and in some places the alignment has been shifted. The route plan now published is the subject of an environmental impact assessment. The results of the assessment will be presented in the EIA reports, which are expected to be made available for public inspection in early 2027. The results may influence the final route alignment.

Numerous changes based on stakeholder feedback

Almost 200 changes have been made to the original route plan. In addition, the route passes through new areas for a total of approximately 260 kilometres. The total length of the routes under consideration in the EIA procedures is now approximately 1,750 kilometres. The most significant proposed changes are located in Tornio, Kalajoki, Kannus, Närpiö, Kristiinankaupunki, Huittinen, Loimaa, Raisio, Salo, Raasepori, Inkoo, Loppi, Tammela and Porvoo.

Many of the changes are based on feedback from landowners and statements from local authorities. Changes have also been made on the basis of feedback received during nature and archaeological surveys that have already been carried out, as well as during the environmental impact assessment.

Opportunity to provide feedback and upcoming consultation events

Gasgrid will inform landowners along the route of the plan by letter. In the case of estates of deceased persons, the letter will be sent to the person listed as the contact person in the National Land Survey of Finland’s records. The letter will be sent both to landowners along the updated route and to those landowners from whose land the route has been removed as a result of the updates.

During the autumn, Gasgrid will organise discussion and project presentation events specifically tailored to the needs of new landowners. The events will be held in Kemi, Oulu, Kokkola, Pedersöre, Närpiö, Raisio, Loimaa, Salo, Loppi, Sipoo and Raasepori. In addition, we are organising webinars on the route update for all landowners.

Details of the events can be found in the letters sent to landowners. Information on the nationwide landowner webinars can be found on Gasgrid’s website.

Route review and feedback survey

The updated route plan is available for viewing on Gasgrid’s website. The map view can be zoomed in to the property level. You can also provide feedback on the route via the map service. According to current estimates, feedback will be collected until the conclusion of the EIA consultation process, i.e. until approximately spring 2027. The service allows you to make annotations on the map and submit information, which will be reviewed as part of Gasgrid’s route planning. Every piece of feedback is read, and the information is utilised in the next planning phase. Local information that affects the route alignment is particularly valuable, such as details of a property’s drainage systems, wells or areas used for the extraction of soil and aggregate. The environmental impact assessment for the updated route will be presented in the EIA reports, for which the estimated public consultation period is due to begin in early 2027.

Route plan on the map: www.gasgrid.fi/karttapalaute

For more information, visit BotH₂nia.

Originally published on August 13, 2026 by BotH₂nia.