Finland to host 240 MWh of new BESS projects

Swedish flexible assets developer and optimizer Ingrid Capacity has joined hands with SEB Nordic Energy’s portfolio company Locus Energy to develop what is claimed to be Finland’s largest and one of the Nordics’ largest battery energy storage systems (BESS).

The 70 MW/140 MWh BESS project will be located in Nivala, northern Finland. Set to go online in 2026, the facility will enhance grid stability, energy resilience and accelerate green electrification. 

The project marks Ingrid Capacity’s first two-hour system and its debut in Finland. Once operational, the project will be managed by the company’s proprietary and fully automated, AI-powered trading and optimization platform.

The Nivala project is Ingrid Capacity’s second collaboration with Swedish energy infrastructure owner and developer Locus Energy. Last year, the two players partnered on the deployment of 13 grid-scale BESS projects in southern Sweden, totaling 196 MW/196 MWh. This portfolio of projects is currently under construction.

In a separate announcement, Renewable Power Capital said it had signed the main construction and supply contracts for the 50 MW/100 MWh Kalanti BESS facility in southwest Finland.

The London-headquartered renewables company said balance of plant services will be provided by Finish construction company Suvic Oy, encompassing civil works, substation construction and BESS equipment mechanical and electrical installation.

Batteries for the site will be supplied by Sungrow, who will install a 2-hour solution with their newest model PowerTitan 2.0 liquid-cooled technology, as part of a 15-year contract with RPC.

The project proponents have confirmed that the construction works will start in March 2025.

The project, which is one of the largest of its kind in Finland, will provide grid services including frequency response and will be able to participate in energy trading on wholesale power markets.

Sarwjit Sambhi, CEO of Renewable Power Capital, said: “Finland is such a significant market for us. The energy system is in real need of efficient and well-managed storage to make the most of its abundant wind resources.”

The challenges in balancing the nation’s grid due to a rapid expansion of renewable energy, particularly wind power along the west coast, have been amplified since Finland disconnected from the Russian electricity grid in 2022.