Energy Transition Valley

Smart and clean energy solutions represent a major growth opportunity for Finland. The Energy Transition Valley, led by the University of Vaasa in collaboration with actors of the Vaasa energy technology cluster, strengthens the research, development and innovation activities of companies in the region through new research infrastructure and extensive doctoral education.

The Energy Transition Valley supports the competitiveness of companies, the sustainable growth of the Finnish and European economies, and the transition towards a carbon-neutral and energy-independent energy system. Its aim is to accelerate research-based solutions for clean energy production, optimisation, storage, and their rapid commercial application.

The initiative seeks to build a research ecosystem that attracts international talent and investment, creates new jobs, and supports export-driven green growth.

The Valley is anchored in the Vaasa energy technology cluster – the largest in the Nordic countries. This cluster comprises 180 companies and organisations, employs 13 000 professionals, and generates an annual turnover of EUR 6 billion – with over 80% coming from exports.

Key players in the cluster include Wärtsilä, ABB, Danfoss and Hitachi Energy. Together, the companies of the cluster invest EUR 250 million annually in RDI activities in the region, with planned investments exceeding EUR 1.9 billion by 2030.

Bringing top-level expertise together with business needs

In Finland, research is often carried out in silos – universities and companies operate separately, and funding follows different paths.

There is a growing need for collaboration that brings public research excellence and business needs closer together. This is what the Energy Transition Valley enables. At its core is a shared research infrastructure that accelerates the development and real-world application of new solutions.

A EUR 40 million investment could generate tenfold business impact

To realise its full potential, the Energy Transition Valley requires an additional investment of EUR 40 million over the next three years for strengthening research, building new research infrastructure, and expanding doctoral education:

• State-of-the-art research infrastructure: Developing shared environments for research on clean energy, smart grids and energy efficiency.
• Research capabilities and education: Expanding Master’s and doctoral education in close collaboration with energy technology companies and strengthening expertise in emerging technologies.
• Innovation hub and technology transfer: Establishing a Technology Transfer Office to support the commercialisation of innovations and strengthen SMEs’ RDI capabilities.

It is estimated that this additional investment could generate up to EUR 400 million in increased turnover for energy technology companies over the next ten years – while enhancing the competitiveness of companies, supporting sustainable growth, and enabling cleaner energy, green exports, and solutions that improve Finland’s energy security.

Partners in the Energy Transition Valley include the University of Vaasa, ABB, Wärtsilä, Vaasan Sähkö, Hitachi Energy, Danfoss, VEO, VNT Management, the City of Vaasa, VASEK, the Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce, and the Regional Council of Ostrobothnia.