The inauguration of the Kalla Test Centre in Loviisa, Finland, is a moment in hydrogen technology with the installation of Stargate Hydrogen's new 1MW alkaline electrolyser. This facility will be a key platform for testing and validating various hydrogen production technologies, representing a major advancement for both Stargate Hydrogen and Fortum in their quest for a sustainable energy future.
Fortum's Kalla Test Centre is designed as a pilot-scale hydrogen production facility, enabling real-world testing of hydrogen technologies. This initiative is among the few in the Nordics to evaluate different electrolyser technologies side by side, offering valuable operational insights that could lead to future project developments through 2028. With a €20 million investment earmarked for both construction and operational phases, the facility aims to deepen the understanding of hydrogen production processes.
Preparations for the 2MW hydrogen production facility will begin in autumn 2024, with construction expected to start in summer 2025. Initial hydrogen production was achieved during commissioning in December 2025, and the site is anticipated to be fully operational by the following summer. This timeline reflects the ambitious nature of the project and its potential impact on the hydrogen economy throughout Europe.
Marko Virkebau, CEO of Stargate Hydrogen, expressed optimism about the project, stating, “The inauguration of the Kalla Test Centre proves that Stargate Hydrogen has reached the maturity level required to be trusted by large industries.” This underscores the importance of collaboration with Fortum, which aims to bolster the growing hydrogen economy in the Nordic region and beyond.
Satu Sipola, vice president of P2X & Project Execution at Fortum, emphasized the centre's role in gaining practical experience key for developing hydrogen solutions. “This step-by-step approach is essential to makes sure both technical readiness and commercial viability,” Sipola noted, recognizing the high levels of reliability and professionalism exhibited by Stargate throughout the project.
As the energy sector changes, initiatives like the Kalla Test Centre will be important in advancing sustainable hydrogen production. The partnership between Stargate Hydrogen and Fortum highlights their commitment to progressing hydrogen technologies, which are expected to be central to the shift toward cleaner energy systems. With operational testing already underway, the results from Kalla are likely to shape future hydrogen initiatives and investments across Europe, reinforcing the region's role in the global hydrogen economy.
