Kemijoki Oy's Ailangantunturi pumped storage project added to EU's Projects of Common Interest list
The European Commission has included Kemijoki Oy's Ailangantunturi pumped storage project in Kemijärvi on the EU's list of Projects of Common Interest. The project enhances Europe's energy security and contributes to climate goals.
Helsinki – In December 2025, the European Commission granted the Ailangantunturi pumped storage power plant project, planned for Kemijärvi, the status of a Project of Common Interest (PCI) of the European Union.
PCI projects play a significant role in improving Europe’s energy security and self-sufficiency, as well as in achieving climate goals. They are designed to complete the EU energy market and contribute to climate-neutrality objectives, ensuring all Europeans have access to affordable, reliable, and renewable energy.
"We are extremely proud and grateful for the historic status granted to the Ailangantunturi energy storage project by the European Commission. This is an exceptionally strong and clear indication of the strategic importance of Kemijoki Oy’s pumped storage power plant project not only for Finland but also for the Nordic electricity market, providing much-needed regulating power to ensure the stability of the electricity system," said Petri Vihavainen, Vice President of Electricity Markets and Strategy at Kemijoki Oy.
European Union PCI status makes projects eligible to apply for EU financing from the Connecting Europe Facility. They will also benefit from expedited permitting and regulatory processes. The Commission supports the implementation of these projects in cooperation with project promoters and Member States. From Finland, three of Fingrid's cross-border transmission projects were also selected for the list of Projects of Common and Mutual Interest. A total of eight such projects were selected across the entire Baltic Sea region, based on very strict criteria.
The Ailangantunturi pumped storage power plant is key to improving the balance and flexibility of the electricity system. It enables the more effective integration of renewable, variable wind and solar power into the electricity system. This is crucial as the transition to a cleaner and more self-sufficient energy system progresses. The Commission's project list will be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council, who have two months to either accept or reject the list in full but may not amend it.