Eastern Finland Energy Forum 2025
Theme: Driving the energy transition through resilient infrastructure, circular economy innovation, and hydrogen and bio-based solutions
Dates: October 21–22, 2025
Location: Joensuu Conservatory of Music, Yliopistokatu 4, Joensuu, Finland
Language: English
Day 1 – Tuesday, October 21
09:00–11:00 | Circular Park in Action – Site Visits
Exploring CO₂ utilization, circular energy operations, and future PtX sites
- Site Visits (Limited participants):
- Lakka / Carbonaide – CO₂ utilization in concrete manufacturing
- Savon Voima – Operations in Joensuu Circular Park
- P2X Solutions – Planned 40 MW methanol plant site
11:00–12:00 | Lunch, Registration & Networking
12:00–13:00 | Opening, Keynotes & Panel discussion – Positioning Eastern Finland in the Nordic-EU Energy Transition
Resilient infrastructure, hydrogen leadership, and international perspectives
Opening Remarks:
- Katja Asikainen, Chair of the Board, Regional Council – Opening and introduction of the Minister’s video.
- Sari Multala, Minister of Climate and the Environment (invited, video message) – National-level hydrogen and energy transition policy context
- Keynote: Herkko Plit, CEO, P2X Solutions Oy – Positioning East Finland in a Nordic-Baltic Hydrogen Future.
Panel Discussion on Nordic-Baltic Energy Transition
- Panelists:
- Herkko Plit (P2X Solutions)
- Matti Ahtosalo (Alpiq Finland)
- Juha Peltomäki (Business Finland)
- Moderator: Sari Koivula
13:00–14:30 | Keynotes & Panel discussion: European & Regional Vision – ResilEast as a Strategic Enabler
EU investment logic, resilience, and just transition through collaboration
- Keynote 1 – Jari Sistonen (ResilEast / U-Cont Ltd) – To reduce Europe's safety dependencies cost-effectively.
- Keynote 2 – Petteri Laaksonen (LUT School of Energy Systems) – Innovative Pathways for Wind Power and Energy Resilience in Eastern Finland.
- Keynote 3 – Markus Säynevirta (Airbus) – Defence-civilian capability integration as an enabler for next generation area surveillance.
- Keynote 4 – Asko Muhonen, Senior Specialist - Comprehensive Security, Colonel – A Centre of Excellence for Comprehensive Security under Preparation.
Panel Discussion Topic:
“Building a Resilient Energy and Security Framework for Eastern Finland and the Baltic Region: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Strategic Autonomy.”
Moderator: Tomi Haring, Business Joensuu
13:00–14:30 | Side event: Startup Ideation Workshop – Innovating for the Energy Transition (Limited participants):
Co-creating startup concepts and exploring new solutions for hydrogen and PtX
- Guests participate in small-group ideation sessions
- Introduction, challenge presentation & team building
- Individual brainstorming
- Group discussion
- Future back – collaborative brainstorming
- Wrap-up and conclusions
14:30–15:00 | Research-to-Business Poster Walk & Networking Coffee
Showcasing innovation from research to implementation
- Poster Topics: TBA
- Contributors: Amertat Energy, Relight, and others
15:00–16:30 | Keynotes & Panel discussion: Infrastructure & Implementation Pathways – Unlocking Hydrogen & PtX
Practical challenges, solutions, and opportunities for deployment
- Keynote 1 – Jussi Jyrinsalo, Fingrid – Roadmap for 400 kV Transmission Investments and Hydrogen Integration.
- Keynote 2 – Heikki Vihava, OX2 – Private investments driving renewable integration and grid scaling.
- Keynote 3 Sanni Kontinen : Gasgrid Finland – Nordic Hydrogen Route and cross-border hydrogen corridors
- Keynote 4 – Kari Anttonen, Savon Voima – Regional energy utility perspectives on PtX infrastructure and integration.
- Keynote 5 – Jonne Hirvonen, Carbonaide – CO₂ utilization and infrastructure needs for carbon-negative materials, decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors, and synergies with PtX.
Panel Discussion & Q&A – Infrastructure bottlenecks, financing pathways, and industrial symbiosis.
17:00–18.30 | International Networking Reception – Culture, Food & Collaboration
- Welcome by City Mayor Jere Penttilä
- Local food & drink tastings
- Light cultural program
- Networking & matchmaking
Day 2 – Wednesday, October 22
08:30–09:00 | Breakfast & Coffee
09:00–10:10 | JustH2Transition – Social Justice, Scenarios & Regional Safety (Limited participants):
Building a fair, safe, and inclusive hydrogen transition
- Parallel Session 1 Organized by VTT Towards a Just Hydrogen Transition: Scenarios and Pathways
- What is Justice? – JustH2Transition
- Five Socio-Technical Scenarios – JustH2Transition
- Group Work: Paths to a Just Hydrogen Transition
- Parallel Session 2 Driving the Green Transition: Regional Innovations in Energy and Sustainability
- Keynote 1 – Kosti Rautiainen, Caruna – 110 kV Distribution Network Investments for Regional Energy Transition.
- Keynote 2 – Jukka Kopra, Ramboll – Studies on biogenic CO₂ availability, logistics potential, hydrogen refinement feasibility & regional sustainability impact.
- Keynote 3 – Ari Pappinen, DME – Business opportunities for carbon-negative concrete.
- Keynote 4 – Juho-Matti Uuksulainen, Vireon – Hydrogen in Mobility.
- Keynote 5 – Kirsi Kinnunen, North Savo Energy Cluster – Regional collaboration to boost green energy transition.
10:10–11:00 | Coffee & Networking Break
11:00–12:00 | Skills, Safety & Social License for Hydrogen – Enabling Workforce & Public Acceptance
Education, workforce readiness, and social acceptance as enablers of transition
- Keynote 1 – UEF – Lasse Peltonen Social Acceptance & Conflict Risk in the Green Transition.
- Keynote 2 – Mariana Galvão Lyra, LUT – Social Acceptance/Perceptions on Green Hydrogen
- Keynote 3 – Anniina Kontiokorpi, Karelia AMK – Vision for Hydrogen Education Degrees & Workforce Needs.
- Keynote 4 – Hydrogen Safety Expert (TBD) & Rami Alfasfos, Business Joensuu – Social Acceptance Perspective.
Side Small-Group Session organized by JustH2Transition: Hydrogen Impact Forum Joensuu (Limited participants):
12:00–13:00 | Networking Lunch
13:00–14:30 | Roundtable: Regional Hydrogen Valleys 2030 – Dialogue across Finland with Kotka-Hamina, Tampere, Jyväskylä regions, Hydrogen Valley Finland and Business Finland
Opening & Framing
- Keynote 1 – Jami Holtari, Suomen Vetylaakso (Hydrogen Valley Finland) – Moderator welcomes and frames the session.
- Keynote 2 – Jarkko Harjula, Cursor (Kotka Region) – Kotka-Hamina hydrogen industry development: ongoing e-methane projects utilizing local CO₂ sources.
- Keynote 3 – Mika Kolari, Business Tampere – Hydrogen and regional energy integration projects.
- Keynote 4 – Esa Eerola, CEfMoF (Jyväskylä) – Developments in hydrogen transportation and H₂ transport projects.
- Keynote 5 – Jami Holtari, Hydrogen Valley Finland – Development in hydrogen ecosystems in Eastern Finland.
- Keynote 6 – Tapio Schmidt-Achert, FfE (Munich, Germany) – Hydrogen economy insights from Germany and global perspective.
- Keynote 7 – Tero Ijäs, Business Finland – Possibilities and enabling effect of hydrogen innovations
Panel Discussion & Q&A – Open discussion.
14:30–14:40 | Coffee / Transition Break
14:40–15:00 | Closing Ceremony – Joensuu Position Paper & Next Steps
- Summary and presentation of Joensuu Position Paper on Hydrogen Corridors & Just Transition
- Next host city invitation
- Closing remarks: Tomi Haring CEO of Business Joensuu
