The energy company St1 has opened two liquefied biogas (LBG) refuelling stations in Finland. The first LBG refuelling stations are located in Iittala and Mäntsälä. The company’s goal is to build a nationwide biogas refuelling network for heavy transport in Finland, as well as significant biogas production capacity by the end of the decade. In Sweden, St1 is already a leading biogas player in the traffic segment. The company will also build its first liquefied biogas distribution points in Norway this year and expand its distribution network in Sweden.
St1’s new liquefied biogas refuelling stations for heavy vehicles are located at Shell Hämeenlinna Iittala and the St1 Mäntsälä P station. The aim is to also build new refuelling stations during the current year in Hirvaskangas, Halikko in Salo and Voutila in Vantaa. St1’s LBG refuelling network will be expanded in the future to cover various locations in Finland.
Initially, the biogas sold at the stations will come from St1’s own production plants in Sweden, among other sources, until production capacity in Finland becomes available within the next few years.
As part of its own energy transition, St1 is investing in the development of the distribution network. This includes not only biogas but also renewable HVO diesel and heating oil together with the construction of a high power electric charging network.
Renewable biogas has considerable emission reduction potential
Liquefied biogas is a renewable fuel whose use in heavy transport can lead to a considerable reduction in emissions. The reduction can be even higher than 100% depending on the origin of the biogas. Biogas accelerates the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy in heavy transport in particular.
“Renewable biogas represents the circular economy at its finest. It holds a significant role in the energy transition and the reduction of emissions from heavy transport. Biogas-powered vehicles have been available for a long time already, and there is rapidly growing interest among transport companies in investing in gas-powered heavy vehicles. As the refuelling network expands, the number of biogas-powered heavy vehicles on our roads will increase sharply,” says Matti Oksanen, Director of St1’s Gas Business.
"Biogas is a highly competitive transport fuel among renewable alternatives, and its performance does not pale in comparison to conventional diesel. By transitioning to LBG-powered vehicles, our corporate customers will be able to effectively reduce the emissions of their logistics chains and enhance the long-term sustainability of their business," says Mikko Reinekari, B2B Sales & Marketing Director at St1.
"From the perspective of the transport industry, it is excellent news that the distribution infrastructure for liquefied gas will be expanded. It supports the views of Finnish Transport and Logistics SKAL with regard to the transition to alternative fuels. According to the results of our most recent transport barometer survey, the share of liquified biogas-powered heavy-duty vehicles in companies’ investment plans is clearly on the rise. In the baseline scenario related to Finland’s national climate and energy strategy, the number of gas-powered vehicles in heavy transport will increase at least until 2050," says CEO Anssi Kujala from Finnish Transport and Logistics Association SKAL.
Significant investments in biogas production and distribution in the Nordics
Biogas is an important part of society’s energy transition, and St1 invests heavily in biogas production and the distribution in all of its home markets.
The company has emerged as a leading biogas operator in the traffic segment in Sweden, where it already has an extensive biogas refuelling network and several biogas production plants. St1's latest biogas upgrading and liquefaction refinery was commissioned in Borås in Sweden at the end of January. Through the joint venture 1Vision Biogas AB, St1 also owns Biokraft International AB, which is the leading producer of LBG in the Nordic region. St1 is also in the process of planning biogas production in Norway.
In Finland, St1 and the food company Valio have established a joint venture, Suomen Lantakaasu Oy, with the aim of building one industrial-scale, centralized production plant and three smaller satellite plants to produce renewable liquefied biogas from the manure and other agricultural by-products of dairy farms in Upper Savo. The hybrid plant complex is scheduled to be completed in 2026. In February, the joint venture acquired a majority stake in Nurmon Bioenergia Oy, which will build an industrial-scale liquefied biogas production plant in the vicinity of Atria's Nurmo production plant on the same schedule.
Suomen Lantakaasu's goal is to build total production capacity of 1 TWh, which will cover a significant proportion of the needs of road transport in Finland by 2030.
Further information:
St1, Matti Oksanen, Director, Gas Business
tel. +358 40 483 6035, matti.oksanen@st1.com
St1, Liisa Joenpolvi, Senior Advisor, Corporate Affairs
tel. +358 50 4110025, liisa.joenpolvi@st1.com
St1 Nordic Oy is an energy group whose vision is to be the leading producer and seller of CO2-aware energy. The Group researches and develops economically viable, environmentally more sustainable energy solutions. St1 focuses on fuels marketing activities, oil refining and renewable energy solutions such as waste-based advanced biofuels and industrial wind power. The Group has 1259 St1 and Shell branded retail stations and gas filling points in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Headquartered in Helsinki, St1 employs currently more than 1000 people. www.st1.com