Defence sector pre-accelerator invites companies to develop solutions to strengthen Estonia’s defence capabilities
The defence sector pre-accelerator Defence Business Lab is beginning its second year of operation and is inviting companies and teams to apply with technological solutions that support Estonia’s defence capabilities. The programme helps take defence technologies from idea and prototype stage through to testing and international growth opportunities.
The pre-accelerator is aimed at companies developing technologies applicable in the defence sector that need support in understanding the specific characteristics of the defence market, developing and positioning their solution, and preparing for the next stages of growth, including applying to international programmes.
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Originally published on 27 Mar
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The Ministry of National Defence and representatives of KNDS Deutschland, Rheinmetal Landsysteme and EPSO-G state-owned energy group international partners signed a Memorandum on industrial cooperation concerning constructions of Lithuania-based assembly and maintenance infrastructure for the Leopard 2 A8 main battle tanks. The project will be completed at a more efficient pace thanks to the major investment project statues granted by the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation.
25.1% of stocks of Lithuania Defense Services (LDS) owned by KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetal Landsysteme are planned to be transferred to EPSO-G Invest. Parties prepare for agreement on cooperation terms in detail in 2026.
The Memorandum covers assembly of part of the tanks in Lithuania aiming for the shortest possible delivery terms and offer preconditions for capability development to the Lithuanian defence industry. In the wake of the agreement signature with the MoD, LDS will start building and assembly factory for the latest version of Leopard 2 A8. In its turn, Lithuania commits to contribute in developing the LSD manufacturing base and has signed an additional agreement on tank maintenance in combat-ready condition.
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Originally published on 11 Dec
The Finnish Defence Forces procure defence system support services from Insta. The services acquired are in accordance with the strategic partnership agreement between the Defence Forces and strategic partners.
They cover support services for military aviation, maritime defence, intelligence, surveillance and command and control systems. Deliveries will mainly take place between 2026 and 2030.
Insta has been collaborating with the Defence Forces since the 1970s, when Insta began maintaining avionics equipment for the Air Force. Later, the defense business expanded to cover all branches. Insta and the Defence Forces signed a strategic partnership agreement at the end of 2015.
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Originally published on 12 Dec
The Building and Environmental Committee of the City of Vaasa, at its meeting on 10 December 2025, approved the building permit application for the plot located at Kuriiritie 7.
The site is planned to accommodate a data centre complex with a total floor area of approximately 66,000 square metres. It is situated in the GigaVaasa area, specifically within the Laajametsä business district near the airport. The project developer is FCDC Corp Oy.
Construction is estimated to commence in 2026, with the data centre expected to become operational between 2028 and 2029.
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Originally published on 11 Dec
The Estonian power grid is steadily building up more resources to accommodate growing demand from smart industries and meet sustainability goals. A new major milestone in this transition has been reached this week, with the completion of a 200 MWh battery park in Kiisa, just south of Tallinn.
The €100M facility, built by Estonian company Evecon alongside French partners Corsica Sole and Mirova, features 54 battery containers and represents continental Europe’s largest battery storage complex.
Battery storage is becoming critical for modern electricity grids, especially as countries increase their use of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which produce power intermittently. Estonia is actively utilising both, putting online large solar and wind installations. Soon, these massive batteries will act like a buffer, storing excess electricity when production is high and releasing it when demand peaks or renewable generation drops.
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Originally published on 12 Dec
The Vilnius Book Fair is turning a new page in its history. For the first time, the organisers of the event taking place in February 2026 are introducing an official corporate patron – Invalda INVL, an asset management group – and a cultural programme partner, Lithuania’s largest bookstore chain, Pegasas.
Since its launch in 2000, the Vilnius Book Fair has grown over a quarter of a century into Lithuania’s most anticipated cultural event. To further strengthen the fair’s international presence and support its continued growth, the 2026 edition will, for the first time, have an official corporate patron.
“Partnerships between the Vilnius Book Fair and the business community are a major step forward. They help enhance the fair’s international reach, foster literary initiatives, support creators, and make sure our messages reach the widest possible audience. The cultural environment created by the fair plays an essential role in shaping society’s identity, nurturing creativity, and engaging diverse social groups in public life. For private businesses, this is also an excellent opportunity to reinforce their reputation through social responsibility and active involvement in the cultural ecosystem,” says Dovilė Zaidė, President of the Lithuanian Publishers Association.
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Originally published on 12 Dec
The Finnish Hydrogen Cluster and the Dutch NLHydrogen have signed a cooperation agreement to promote collaboration among hydrogen stakeholders in both countries. Finland and the Netherlands share common interests in developing the hydrogen economy.
The Finnish Hydrogen Cluster, representing more than 80 companies and organizations, and NLHydrogen, encompassing 50 companies across the Dutch hydrogen value chain, will collaborate to accelerate the development of the hydrogen economy, supported by the local governments and Business Finland. The goal is to combine the strengths of the Finnish and Dutch hydrogen communities to jointly build a sustainable hydrogen value chain, strengthen energy security, and contribute to Europe’s climate goals.
The organizations signed the cooperation agreement during the Business Forum event in the presence of Ulkomaankauppa- ja kehitysministeri , Ville Tavio, and Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Aukje de Vries. Both Finland and the Netherlands have advanced energy and transport infrastructure, strong industrial clusters, and innovation-driven ecosystems. Both countries also recognize the benefits of developing a European wide hydrogen economy.
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Originally published on 12 Dec
GASCADE Gastransport GmbH (GASCADE) has reached a decisive milestone in building the German hydrogen network: about 400 kilometers of existing natural gas pipelines have been successfully converted to transport hydrogen. The initial filling of the first pipeline sections as part of the program Flow – making hydrogen happen establishes a North-South axis from the Baltic Sea region to Saxony-Anhalt, forming a central part of the German hydrogen core network. The hydrogen infrastructure is now available to the market and thus provides the basis for a successful hydrogen ramp-up.
This internationally unique project demonstrates how existing infrastructure can be quickly and cost-effectively transformed for hydrogen transport. GASCADE thereby creates planning security for the hydrogen ramp-up and makes a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions in German industry. Managing Director Ulrich Benterbusch emphasizes the technical dimension and resulting opportunities: “With the successful conversion of 400 kilometers of pipeline, we reliably provide large-scale and central hydrogen infrastructure. Converting existing natural gas pipelines with a diameter of 1.4 meters to hydrogen is a technical pioneering achievement. This project is a strong signal for the German hydrogen economy and the industrial location of Eastern Germany.”
Managing Director Christoph von dem Bussche highlights the potential and the European perspective: Flow – making hydrogen happen is more than a technical project. It is a promise for the future. In 2025 we are creating the conditions to receive hydrogen from the European Baltic Sea region, international hydrogen imports via the port of Rostock, as well as green hydrogen produced on the Baltic coast – especially at the Lubmin site. From the get-go, we are considering the connection to our European neighbors. Because only together can we succeed in building a strong cross-border hydrogen economy.”
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Originally published on 11 Dec
DEME has been awarded three contracts for the installation of monopile foundations, inter-array cables, and the export cable at the BC-Wind offshore wind farm in Poland. These new contracts position DEME as a key contributor to Poland’s renewable energy build-out, supporting the country’s energy transition.
BC-Wind, developed by international offshore wind company Ocean Winds, a 50-50 joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE, is located approximately 23 km off the Polish Baltic Sea coast. With a planned capacity of up to 390 MW, the wind farm will generate clean electricity for around 500,000 households per year.
DEME will deploy its offshore installation vessel Orion to install 27 monopile foundations: 26 monopiles for the wind turbines and 1 foundation for the offshore substation (OSS). Equipped with a motion-compensated pile gripper, a 5,000-ton crane and advanced ballasting systems, Orion is designed to handle the largest foundations with precision and efficiency, even in challenging conditions.
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Originally published on 10 Dec
Latvia is preparing for another significant step in the modernisation of its rail transport. Autotransporta direkcija (ATD) announces that Škoda Group has been awarded with the contract to supply up to 16 battery electric multiple units (BEMUs) for regional transport.
The value of the contract comprising of the base delivery of nine trains, an option for seven additional vehicles, spare parts and training is nearly EUR 160 million. The first vehicles are scheduled to be deployed in the first half of 2029. Following the successful launch of battery trains in the Czech Republic at the turn of 2024 and 2025 and the signing of a contract for up to 36 battery trains for Slovakia, this is another order for the Škoda Group for this type of vehicle.
The units will also be the first Škoda Group battery-powered vehicles designed for a 1,520 mm gauge. They represent the next evolution of the successful platform of single-deck regional trains developed for the Baltic markets. The project is financed by the state budget of Latvia and EU Cohesion Funds, which are supporting the development of modern zero-emission mobility in Latvia.
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Originally published on 11 Dec
A new biogas plant is set to be completed in spring 2026 in the village of Tahula on Estonia’s largest island, Saaremaa. The facility’s purpose goes beyond renewable energy production: it aims to make better use of local resources and reduce reliance on imported energy. The Estonian Islands Energy Agency has played a significant role in preparing and developing the project, supporting the transition toward cleaner and more stable energy use across Estonian islands.
The Tahula biogas plant will use by-products from Saaremaa’s agricultural enterprises. These organic residues will be converted into biogas and further refined into biomethane. The resulting fuel can be used in transportation, industry, and district heating, thereby reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
A valuable by-product of the process is digestate ̶ a nutrient-rich material that farmers can use as fertilizer, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and helping maintain soil health.
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Originally published on 11 Dec