Fortum and National Emergency Supply Agency agree on reserve production at Meri-Pori coal plant
Energy company Fortum and the Finnish National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA) have signed an agreement to reserve the production capacity of the Meri-Pori coal-fired power plant. The deal, valid until the end of 2027, aims to ensure electricity supply during severe disruptions.
Fortum and the National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA) have entered into an agreement under which the production of the Meri-Pori coal condensing power plant will be reserved for severe disruptions and emergency situations, ensuring security of supply in Finland's electricity system. The agreement is effective from March 1, 2024, until December 31, 2027.
During the upcoming winter months, the Meri-Pori power plant will also operate on a commercial basis to support the security of supply in the Nordic power market. Fortum, the plant's owner, is committed to phasing out all coal-based power generation by the end of 2027 as part of its clean energy strategy.
According to Fortum, operating the plant has not been commercially viable for several years, and it has previously been part of the grid's reserve capacity system from 2017 to 2022. The company stated that without this agreement, it would have had to consider decommissioning the plant.
NESA's Managing Director Janne Känkänen emphasized the agreement's importance for Finland's security of supply in the current geopolitical climate. The production reserve is intended for the most serious crises and will not be used to smooth out price peaks.
The Meri-Pori plant, Finland's last coal-fired power plant, is located in Tahkoluoto, Pori, with a capacity of 565 MW. The facility has been operational for a total of 69 days since December 2022, producing approximately 515 GWh of electricity.