Gas1 Hankkeet
Gas1 turns biogas plans into reality
Botnia Gas Oy | Kaustinen
A large-scale biogas plant is being constructed in Kaustinen.
The plant will process the same mass streams that were previously used in fur animal feed production. In addition, regional agricultural cooperatives will contribute manure and crop biomass to be processed at the facility. Local farms have shown strong interest in collaborating with the plant.
The biogas plant aims to achieve an annual energy production of over 100 GWh.
The residual materials from production are excellent fertilizers for local farms. As such, the project significantly supports the region’s green transition.
The project also has a notable impact on employment. Additionally, its benefits are targeted toward a structural change area.
Gas1 will build a biogas plant in Rantsila, Northern Ostrobothnia, using sustainably produced grass as its primary feedstock
A project company, Rantsilan Metaani, has been established for the project. The company has agreed with the municipality on the possibility of initiating the permitting process for an approximately eight-hectare site in Tuohimaa.
The final scale of the project will be determined during a more detailed assessment, but preliminary estimates indicate that the area could enable an annual production of more than 100 GWh. When upgraded, this corresponds to more than ten million litres of diesel, which is intended to be supplied as liquefied biomethane for heavy transport.
The total investment cost of the project is estimated at around €50 million, and construction is intended to begin once the EIA process has been completed.
– “In 2026, we aim to initiate permitting and assess investment support conditions”, says Mika Kallio, CEO of Gas1.
The project has been prepared in close cooperation with the municipality of Siikalatva. Municipal Manager Pekka Iivari views the project with great interest.
– In Siikalatva, and particularly in the Rantsila area, livestock farming has declined significantly in recent years. The region’s fields are well suited for grass production, so we believe the biogas plant will strengthen the operating conditions of agriculture across the area, Iivari notes.
According to the assessment, the region has at least 300,000 tonnes of grass, most of which is intended to be used as fodder outside the region. Of this amount, at least 100,000 tonnes are fractions best suited for biogas production. The biogas plant will also create a foundation for other business activities in the area.
The upgrading of biomethane generates a significant amount of carbon dioxide. The company that has shown the strongest interest in utilizing it is Carbonaide, a spin-off from VTT. The company aims to use CO₂ to reduce the amount of cement needed in the production of its customers’ concrete products and elements. This also enables the use of locally produced alternative binders.
– In the Oulu region, there are several potential customers capable of utilizing biogenic CO₂ on a significant scale. Most likely, we will transport the liquefied CO₂ to an existing factory of the customer. However, from both an economic and ecological standpoint, it would be optimal if concrete products could be manufactured within the same ecosystem where the CO₂ is generated. I see a business opportunity in Rantsila for concrete product manufacturers, explains Jonne Hirvonen, COO of Carbonaide.
Lännen Biokaasu Oy, Kurikka
A regional biogas production ecosystem is emerging in Kurikka, offering farms significant opportunities to increase the production and use of renewable energy on a large scale. From the biogas collection network, gas is directed to upgrading and liquefaction. Through distribution stations, biogas becomes available for transport use. The project has a major positive impact on the regional economy and significantly reduces fossil CO₂ emissions.
One of the key competitive advantages of the Kurikka Ecosystem is the location of the liquefaction plant. A plot has been reserved for the plant right next to Jalastuuli, one of Finland’s busiest service stations. This enables heavy transport operators transitioning to liquefied biogas to refuel in a familiar environment, while allowing the liquefaction operator to sell gas directly from the production site.
The project has received €11.6 million in investment support. The operational permit processes are completed, and a large share of the agreements required for the final investment decision have already been signed.
Rannikon Biokaasu, Kristiinankaupunki
A biogas plant is being planned for Härkmeri in Kristiinankaupunki, in cooperation with our partner Rannikon Biokaasu. The company is backed by waste and environmental service firms, a potato processing company, a transport operator, and one of Finland’s largest cattle farms.
Our plan is to build a biogas facility that meets the needs of all stakeholders. A special feature of the plant is a sloped-bottom reactor, which is being designed in collaboration with a project at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences. The idea for the reactor originated from the need to process greenhouse biomass containing plastic twine.
Investment support for the project is currently being processed, and an investment decision could be made during 2026.
Ylä-Savon Biokaasu
The Gas1 core team delivered a biogas terminal to Vieremän Lämpö ja Vesi in autumn 2023. The next steps in developing the biogas operations involve the construction of a gas collection pipeline by the municipality of Vieremä, followed by an expansion next year.
The municipality has applied for investment support from the Regional Council of Northern Savonia for the construction of the bioterminal. Next to the terminal, Ylä-Savon Biokaasu will build a biogas plant that processes feedstocks from several local farms.
Gas1 will be a shareholder in Ylä-Savon Biokaasu, responsible for the project delivery, and will manage the plant’s assets as a lifecycle service.
Case Orimattila
One of Gas1 founders, Janne Ekholm, began his career in biogas as project manager of the Hevosvoimia Hevosenlannasta (“Horsepower from Horse Manure”) project in 2018–2019. At that time, conditions were not yet right for a biogas plant centered on horse manure, but many of the same industrial side streams still lack value-correct utilisation today — meaning the project can now be brought to completion.
Additional feedstocks will include other manure fractions as well as crop biomass. Planned production is approximately 15 GWh.
Construction of the project will begin at the earliest time in 2027.
Satakaasu, Kouvola
A project company owned by Gas1 is in the process of securing a site in Kouvola near industrial operations, with signing expected in November 2026.
The goal is to launch the environmental impact assessment process with nature surveys in spring 2026. Together with our partners, we have already carried out years of preparatory work with local agricultural producers.
Our intention is to sign the letters of intent by March 2026, enabling us to present the project’s feasibility study to financiers.