Green Hydrogen Production with Sunfire & P2X Solutions’ 40 MW Joensuu Project

Ever thought Finland’s endless forests might someday fuel global shipping and aviation? Well, fasten your seatbelt—green hydrogen production is shaking things up from Berlin labs all the way to the docks of Joensuu. This isn’t some distant promise; it’s unfolding right now as two bold innovators team up to bring clean hydrogen to industrial scale.

On October 8, 2025, at the World Hydrogen Congress in Copenhagen, Sunfire landed a headline-grabbing deal with P2X Solutions. They’re teaming up on the FEED study for a 40 MW pressurized alkaline electrolyzer plant in Joensuu, Finland. Once online, that hydrogen will be transformed into e-methanol—ready to slash emissions in the toughest sectors, like shipping lanes and jet engines.

What This Means

In one swift move, P2X Solutions will triple its output from 20 MW to 60 MW. Remember the 20 MW Harjavalta plant, crowned Finland’s first industrial-scale green hydrogen site and applauded by President Alexander Stubb? Joensuu builds on that win, proving large-scale green hydrogen production is not just doable—it’s rapidly scalable. Plus, it zips P2X Solutions closer to its jaw-dropping 1 GW target over the next decade.

The Magic Ingredient

The star of the show is the pressurized alkaline electrolyzer. Instead of running at low pressure, this setup uses a potassium-hydroxide solution under higher pressure. The result? Hydrogen exits the reactor ready to go—no extra compression, fewer energy losses, and lower operating costs. It’s already proven itself at Harjavalta, delivering steady performance under real-world conditions. Bottom line: lower cost per kilo and a smoother ride to profitability.

On the Ground in Joensuu

Nestled near the Russian border, Joensuu is the beating heart of North Karelia—traditionally a hub for forestry and wood processing. Now, it’s pivoting toward a clean energy future. With vast forests and reliable hydropower, the site checks every box. The FEED study will nail down plant layout, safety systems, grid interconnections, even CO₂ capture integration. Once those blueprints are locked, shovels hit the dirt without skipping a beat.

Why E-Methanol Matters

E-methanol is a true drop-in fuel—ships and planes can burn it with minimal tweaks. By marrying green hydrogen with captured CO₂ in a catalytic reactor, you get a carbon-neutral liquid that slips into existing fuel infrastructure. No radical overhauls of engines or logistics. For industries squeezed by emissions regulations and tight margins, that’s a total game-changer. Considering global shipping alone accounts for roughly 3 percent of CO₂ emissions, e-methanol offers a fast track to deep cuts.

Strategic Angle

This partnership is a masterclass in cross-border synergy. A German electrolyzer whiz teams up with a Finnish Power-to-X pioneer, turbocharging Europe’s green hydrogen ambitions. Thanks to the EU’s Green Deal and REPowerEU funding, billions are waiting to be tapped. Blend top-tier German engineering with Finland’s renewable horsepower, and you’ve got a blueprint for future collaborations—where technology, policy, and money all fall into place.

Economic and Environmental Impact

Beyond cutting-edge tech, Joensuu is set to deliver a wave of benefits. We’re talking hundreds of new jobs in engineering, construction, and operations. Local suppliers of steel, electrical gear, and automation systems will see orders soar. On the environmental side, every ton of e-methanol churned out here avoids millions of tonnes of CO₂ compared to fossil alternatives. Plus, it kickstarts a homegrown supply chain—from renewables and electrolyzers to storage and transport—positioning North Karelia as Europe’s next hydrogen hotspot.

Lessons from Harjavalta

Harjavalta was the dress rehearsal. Earlier this year, the 20 MW plant showed off Sunfire’s pressurized alkaline tech under real-deal operating conditions. When President Alexander Stubb gave it a thumbs-up, regulators, investors, and engineers all took notice. That success ironed out technical wrinkles, sharpened operational know-how, and smoothed out the regulatory path. Joensuu isn’t a gamble—it’s the sequel with all the right lessons baked in.

FEED: The Roadmap to Reality

A FEED study is where big ideas become buildable blueprints. We’re talking process flow diagrams, mass and energy balances, gear specs, cost breakdowns, timelines—you name it. Sunfire will work shoulder-to-shoulder with P2X Solutions and partners to finesse civil works, grid hookups, safety protocols, and emissions controls. When the FEED wraps up, everyone—from banks to government bodies—will have crystal-clear numbers and dates in hand, primed for that all-important final investment decision.

Disruption on the Horizon

Projects like Joensuu are flipping the script on the old centralized energy model. Instead of mega-sized, remote hydrogen hubs, we’ll see nimble regional sites tapping local renewables and CO₂ streams. That means lower transport costs, faster rollout, and more resilience. Industries that once dismissed hydrogen as niche are now circling for a piece of the action. With proven, scalable solutions on the table, green hydrogen is about to crash into the mainstream.

Global Ripples

The shockwaves won’t stop at Finland’s border. Investors will take note and funnel capital into similar ventures. Policymakers will point to Joensuu as living proof that large-scale electrolysis works, triggering even more supportive policies. Regions blessed with renewables will launch their own projects, speeding Europe’s sprint to net-zero. It’s the virtuous cycle the EU dreams about: one success breeding another, faster adoption, steeper emissions cuts.

What’s Next?

Once the FEED study wraps up later this year, the clock runs toward a final investment decision in early 2026. If it gets the green light, construction kicks off pronto, aiming for first hydrogen flow by 2027. Meanwhile, P2X Solutions will keep its foot on the gas toward 1 GW, and Sunfire will scout new partnerships across Europe. Keep your eyes on North Karelia—this quiet corner is gearing up to become a green hydrogen powerhouse.

Let’s face it: green hydrogen production has been the promise of tomorrow for years. But today, it’s here. Sunfire and P2X Solutions aren’t playing around—they’re laying the groundwork to decarbonize shipping, aviation, and beyond. The doors to the energy revolution just swung wide open in Joensuu. Ready to dive in?