New industrial development area and railway infrastructure available for investment in Valmiera – Valmiera Industrial Park is completed
Construction has been completed at Valmiera Industrial Park, which is an infrastructure of national importance – a railway siding and internal railway, a cargo loading/unloading (logistics) site, and an industrial electricity connection have been put into operation. The rest of the infrastructure intended for exporting manufacturing companies operating in smart specialization (RIS3) sectors, creating products with high added value, has also been completed. The newly built railway infrastructure will strengthen the role of Valmiera region in the European transport network, consolidating its position as an important connection point between regions and the Baltic States.
Valmiera Industrial Park, operating as Latvia’s first domestic multimodal logistics center, will promote economic growth and export capacity in Vidzeme. This will be a significant stage of development and change in the transport and storage sector, as companies in Vidzeme and South Estonia will be able to optimize their supply chains while reducing transport costs and emissions, as well as the load on roads. The potential of the new and competitive railway infrastructure and the extensive concrete logistics area has also been dubbed Latvia’s first “dry port” (i.e., inland intermodal terminals directly connected to seaports by road or rail).
“Targeted investment in business development is always necessary to promote growth and maintain competitiveness. The development of the Valmiera Industrial Park has been purposefully planned since 2014, implementing this idea gradually and thoughtfully to ensure maximum return on invested resources in the long term. It is planned that at least three export-oriented companies will start operating in the area to be developed under the project, creating new jobs and making significant investments in business. These are historically the largest investments in the development of the Valmiera region, which will make a significant contribution to both the region’s economy and the well-being of its residents. At the same time, in parallel with the development of business infrastructure in the municipality, we continue to invest in affordable housing and competitive education to ensure a timely supply of qualified specialists to the labor market,” says Jānis Baiks, Chairman of the Valmiera Municipality Council.
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Originally published on 17 Dec
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The German ABO Energy group has been granted a planning reservation to build a hydrogen production plant in Oulu in northern Finland. In the preliminary plan, the new hydrogen plant would have an electrolyser with a maximum capacity of 600 MW. Implementation would take place in 2-3 phases.
In addition to hydrogen production, the company is exploring the possibility of producing methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (E-SAF) in Oulu. The feasibility of synthetic fuel production depends on the availability of biogenic carbon dioxide. ABO Energy would offer the waste heat generated for use as district heating in the Oulu region.
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Originally published on 9 Apr
Net Group, an Estonian business and software development company, has expanded into Germany by acquiring Cloud Ahoi GmbH, a technology company specializing in comprehensive cybersecurity solutions for both private and public sector clients.
“The transaction is significant because on the one hand we are increasing our capabilities in providing cybersecurity services, and on the other hand Germany is Estonia’s largest export market. This gives us a unique opportunity to export valuable knowledge from Estonia to Germany for both the private and public sectors,” stated Priit Kongo, CEO of Net Group.
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Originally published on 8 Apr
The City of Oulu has been preparing to reserve land for three new hydrogen production and processing plants. The City’s aim is to actively promote green transition investments in its area. Advancing the planning of three new hydrogen plants will support the growth of hydrogen economy and the development of Oulu’s local hydrogen infrastructure.
The planning reservations for the Pyyryväinen site will be discussed by the City of Oulu Urban Environment Committee at its meeting on 8 April 2025. The site is a virtually undeveloped, large-scale industrial area of up to 800 hectares less than 10 kilometres from the centre of Oulu, next to the Välikylä industrial district. The area required by businesses ranges from 15 hectares to 41 hectares.
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Originally published on 3 Apr
Solid-state lithium batteries have the potential to transform energy storage by offering higher energy density and improved safety compared to today’s lithium-ion batteries. However, their limited lifespan remains a major challenge. To address this, researchers at Luleå University of Technology have developed new materials that can significantly extend battery life.
“Our new materials can be used in cathode and electrolyte to extend battery lifespan and support the development of more environmentally friendly energy storage,” says Jiajia Li, who recently completed her PhD in Energy Engineering at Luleå University of Technology.
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Originally published on 8 Apr
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group opened an office in Estonia today to drive strategic investments and sustainable growth in the country. The new office, located in the capital Tallinn, will focus on priority projects in areas including climate action, digitalisation, security and defence.
The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), will use its presence in Tallinn to deepen cooperation with Estonian partners in the public and private sectors including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
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Originally published on 8 Apr
Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) has received its first STS crane, which will be installed at the new container terminal in Ydre Nordhavn, Copenhagen, from Konecranes in Finland.
The voyage took four days, and it is a significant milestone that the crane has now safely reached its final destination. The arrival of the crane marks an important step for CMP. This advanced STS crane symbolises CMP’s ambitions, together with By & Havn, the developer of the new container terminal, to create one of the most efficient and modern container terminals in Northern Europe.
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Originally published on 7 Apr
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group opened an office in Latvia today to propel strategic investments and sustainable growth in the country. This office, located in the capital Riga, will focus on priority projects in areas including climate action, digitalisation, housing, security and defence.
The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), will use its presence in Riga to deepen cooperation with Latvian partners in the public and private sectors including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
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Originally published on 7 Apr
The adaptation of the Grain Quay to a depth of 12.5 m in the port of Szczecin has become a fact. The investment by the Szczecin and Sea Port Authority significantly increased the transshipment capacity of the Grain Quay by being ready to handle larger ships than before – with a draft of up to 11.0 m (i.e. the same ones that can enter Szczecin via the deepened waterway).
Before the investment, the depth at the quay was 10 m. This means that we could handle ships with a maximum draft of up to 8.5-9 m. Now it is two meters more.
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Originally published on 3 Apr
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €50 million loan to Lantmännen to co-finance the construction of a new pea protein isolate factory in Lidköping. The loan will cover approximately half of the project investment cost.
The first of its kind in Sweden, the factory will have an annual processing capacity of over 40 000 tonnes of peas grown by Lantmännen cooperative members. It is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027 and to create around 30 jobs in the region.
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Originally published on 3 Apr
Estonian energy company Eesti Energia opened the Baltic’s largest battery storage at the Auvere industrial complex. This state-of-the-art storage system is already enhancing the stability of the regional electricity grid and mitigating high peak electricity prices for consumers.
According to Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi, who attended the inauguration event, the Auvere battery reservoir represents a pivotal advancement in Estonia’s energy transition. “For a democratic nation, having renewable energy storage capacity is crucial for enhancing energy independence. It’s also heartening that this investment incorporates technology from the free world,” Ligi stated.
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Originally published on 3 Apr