Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), through its CI Advanced Bioenergy Fund I (CI ABF I), has made an investment decision on September 2, 2025, to construct a new industrial-scale biogas plant in the Kurunpuhdon industrial area of Nivala, Finland.
Once operational, the plant will process over 600,000 tons of biomass annually and produce around 200 GWh of liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG). Construction is set to commence in late 2025, with operations expected to begin in the second half of 2027. During the construction phase, the project is anticipated to generate hundreds of person-years of employment, and upon commencement of operations, the plant will employ approximately 15–20 individuals. Local contractors and service providers will be engaged during both the construction and maintenance phases.
The Nivala biogas project has been propelled by strong national and regional support. The regional development company NIHAK has participated in the development of the project in close collaboration with CIP and the city. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has granted over €26 million in investment support for the project, and zoning and permitting processes have progressed swiftly. A lease agreement for a 20-hectare site was signed on August 27 during NIHAK’s Think BIG event.
CIP partner Andreas F. Brandt emphasizes the broad significance of the investment and the role of collaboration:
“The Nivala project demonstrates that by combining local commitment with international capital, solutions can be implemented that have both economic and climate significance. NIHAK’s work was crucial in the early stages of the project. Equally important has been the city’s proactive role in land acquisition and land-use arrangements—securing and making available the necessary sites is not something that happens automatically in all regions. We are convinced that Nivala offers an optimal environment for such a substantial investment,” he states.
The project would not have been possible without the long-term and proactive work of NIHAK and the city, and a new way of attracting investments. NIHAK has been involved from the outset: from initial discussions to site identification, preparation of permitting processes, and building local networks.
From an international investor’s perspective, the project is exemplary, but above all, it presents a substantial opportunity for the host municipality and surrounding region. The biogas investment strengthens farm profitability, creates new jobs, and opens doors for new businesses in the energy and circular economy sectors.
NIHAK CEO Toni Krankkala notes that NIHAK has long been laying the groundwork for such projects—by mapping areas suitable for industrial investments, promoting the region’s competitive advantages to potential investors, providing local support during various stages of project development, and implementing concrete investment-promoting measures in the area, such as developing joint wells to enhance nutrient recycling in this project.
“This investment is a historic and tangible indication of the next phase of the clean transition beginning in the region. It brings jobs, strengthens agricultural profitability, and reduces emissions. The project originated from NIHAK’s active efforts to attract investments to the area. It is gratifying to see that our work is now yielding concrete results. And this is just the beginning: the region has enormous potential to further increase clean energy production. This investment sets the direction for the next development phase towards a stronger and more sustainable clean transition,” summarizes Krankkala.
A key factor in the project’s progress has been the positive attitude of the City of Nivala and its decision-makers. The city’s technical department has flexibly, and swiftly advanced land-use solutions, which have been crucial for the smooth progression of the project. The local community’s positive stance towards the project has been extremely favorable, and this broad local support has been decisive in enabling the project to be implemented in Nivala.
The City of Nivala views the project primarily as a result of successful collaboration. Without the commitment and shared vision of various stakeholders, such a substantial initiative would not have materialized. Mayor Päivi Karikumpu emphasizes the importance of cooperation in promoting investments:
“This project would not have progressed without the close cooperation between CIP, the city, and NIHAK. Together, we have created the conditions that have made Nivala an attractive investment location for large clean energy projects. The biogas plant is an excellent example of what can be achieved with a shared will—and it lays the groundwork for many future investments,” Karikumpu states.
For more information:
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Louise Wendelbo, media@cip.com
NIHAK, CEO Toni Krankkala, +358 50 3277 254, toni.krankkala@nihak.fi
City of Nivala, Mayor Päivi Karikumpu, +358 40 344 7200, paivi.karikumpu@nivala.fi
