“We’re conquering the world one variable frequency drive at a time” – Vaasa is the Nordic Energy Capital

The Ostrobothnian people are not modest, nor have they any reason to be in Vaasa, the self-proclaimed Nordic Energy Capital. The rise of the energy sector, which has its origins on the other side of the Atlantic, has taken expertise from Vaasa to every corner of the world. The world’s most environmentally friendly roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry was also developed in Vaasa. Today, the sharing of knowledge about the energy sector starts as early as in the day-care centre.

The atmosphere in Vaasa, a coastal city in Ostrobothnia, is literally electronic. More than 180 energy sector companies with a combined turnover of EUR 6 billion, one quarter of the Finnish energy sector workforce, the largest number of green patents in the Nordic countries… Hearing just a few figures describing the Vaasa energy cluster is enough to amaze you.

But as the saying goes: you have to know the past to understand the present. The story of the Nordic Energy Capital starts from the other side of the Atlantic.

Five years ago, there were 160 energy sector companies in Vaasa, and now there are twenty more. In total, the turnover of the companies in the sector has increased by EUR 1 billion over the same period. By the end of this decade, additional investments in the field are expected to amount to nearly EUR 2 billion.

“When large actors invest, smaller ones also have the courage to do the same. We are well known for riding the crest of a wave of the energy transition,” says Tomas Häyry, Mayor of Vaasa.

Cooperation between higher education institutions and companies in the region is strong. Vaasa companies account for 90 per cent of all research and development activities in the Finnish energy sector. In practice, it means everything from sustainable energy production and smart grids to more energy-efficient solutions for the maritime industry. Wärtsilä is also in the process of expanding its R&D centre in Vaasa within the next few years.

Vaasa has created its own learning path in the energy sector all the way from day-care centres to higher education institutions. The aim is to awaken the interest of children in science and mathematics at an early age and to raise these future hopes to continue the present activities.

“If 10 years ago engineers at Wärtsilä gate had been asked what they were making, the answer would have been engines and power stations. Now, they would be talking about decarbonisation. You can see the young experts’ eyes shine with enthusiasm as they know that they are building a better tomorrow for future generations,” Häyry says

So far, Vaasa has not suffered from labour shortage. The energy sector currently employs 13,000 people. Most of the experts come from abroad, and this is reflected in the doubling of the share of the international population in the city.

“We are often post-cyclical in Vaasa. When things are going well elsewhere in Finland, it is difficult for us and vice versa. At the moment, we’re doing unbelievably well,” Häyry says.

Read the whole story: “We’re conquering the world one variable frequency drive at a time” – Vaasa is the Nordic Energy Capital | Vaasa

Vaasa is part of the InnoCities network. The focus of development in the Vaasa ecosystem agreement is on smart and sustainable energy systems

Want to know more Finnish miracles? Subscribe to InnoCities newsletter (published 3-4 times / year) from below!