VetyAlfa

Ecobio prepares the environmental and water permit application for VetyAlfa’s hydrogen refinery project and conducts ecological surveys along its power transmission routes

VetyAlfa is planning a hydrogen refinery project in Utajärvi, with Ecobio responsible for preparing the environmental and water permit application. The collaboration has focused on bringing together the extensive permit documentation and responding to the project’s changing needs as the plans become more detailed.

“The Utajärvi hydrogen refinery project is a major industrial development of national significance. The aim is to produce up to 180,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year and enable its further processing into synthetic fuels. If realised, the project would strengthen Finland’s position in renewable energy and hydrogen economy value chains and lay the groundwork for new export business. It is essential for Finland that clean electricity is used here to create products with higher added value. This would allow the benefits of investment, expertise and jobs to extend from Utajärvi across the country,” says Reija Knuutila, CEO of VetyAlfa Oy.

Ecobio is responsible for compiling the information required for the environmental and water permit application and preparing an application that covers the project’s technical plans and environmental impacts in sufficient breadth and detail.

“In a project of this scale, the environmental and water permit application is particularly extensive. Our role is to maintain an overview of the project and ensure that the various studies and increasingly detailed plans are brought together into an application that provides the information needed for the permitting decision,” says Ecobio expert Marja Savolainen.

Preparing the permit application on a tight schedule

The collaboration got off to a swift start in February 2026. Ecobio prepared the permit application for submission within the timeframe required by the project’s financing schedule.

“As always, it has been important in this project to respond to the client’s changing needs while also staying on schedule,” Savolainen says.

Given the nature of the project, preparation of the application has continued alongside the ongoing environmental impact assessment (EIA). The application continues to be supplemented with information from the EIA process.

“Working with Ecobio has been seamless. We have particularly valued the fact that even extremely challenging deadlines have been met as agreed. Ecobio has proven to be a knowledgeable and reliable partner to work with as we move the project forward,” Knuutila says.

Additional ecological surveys

Alongside preparing the environmental permit application, Ecobio has carried out additional ecological surveys required for the project, including along its power transmission route.

“Large projects often require additional information as they progress, for example on the area’s ecological value. Ecobio has been able to carry out the necessary additional surveys quickly and flexibly, making it easier to coordinate the work and helping to keep the complex permitting process on schedule,” Savolainen explains.

Specialist expertise for hydrogen economy projects

The growing hydrogen economy places new demands on environmental specialists. Rapid developments in the hydrogen sector raise questions in environmental permitting and environmental impact assessment that require continuous learning and deeper expertise.

Ecobio is committed to establishing itself as a Finnish frontrunner with specialist expertise in this growing sector. Its collaboration with VetyAlfa builds on Ecobio’s long-standing expertise in industrial environmental matters and further deepens the company’s knowledge.

“We want to specialise in the environmental aspects of hydrogen economy projects and help make them happen. We have the expertise to handle demanding permitting processes and enjoy challenges that allow us to deepen our knowledge together with the client,” Savolainen concludes.