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10/30/2025, 13:00
| Media release
Lausanne, Switzerland / Valkeakoski, Finland – Alpiq is continuing to grow its portfolio of flexible energy assets. Today, the company is celebrating the inauguration of its first battery energy storage system (BESS). Designed and built by Merus Power, the 30 MW / 36 MWh facility in Valkeakoski, Finland, is the first BESS in the Nordics to meet grid-forming requirements – a key step in strengthening the country’s electricity grid and contributing to a stable power supply.
Flexibility is a cornerstone of a secure, sustainable and affordable energy supply. Higly flexible power plants and storage systems help to integrate intermittent renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, into the grid. They are essential for the energy transition. As an owner and operator of reservoir hydropower, flexibility is part of Alpiq’s DNA – and now the company has taken another major step forwards: Alpiq built, owns and operates a BESS. The Valkeakoski plant has been in successful operation since 13 October. Its capacity and energy are marketed on the system services market, as well as the short-term and intraday markets. The system is able to respond to grid frequency fluctuations within milliseconds.
Strategic focus on flexibility
The Valkeakoski BESS is part of Alpiq’s long-term strategy to expand its portfolio of flexible assets. More BESS projects are already underway: in Haapajärvi, Finland, ground was recently broken for a 125 MW / 250 MWh facility, the “go live” is planned for mid-2027. In France, a 100 MW / 200 MWh BESS at La Corne-en-Vexin is scheduled to go into operation in the first quarter of 2027. These investments support Alpiq’s strategic goal of enabling more electricity from intermittent renewable sources through flexible storage – and strengthening energy security. Additional projects are being planned in selected European countries, including Switzerland, Germany, the UK and the Nordic region.
Strengthening Alpiq’s position in the Nordic countries
With the commissioning of the Valkeakoski BESS, Alpiq is expanding its footprint in Finland and becoming a key provider of battery-based system services in this growing market. The company has also signed several power purchase agreements (PPAs) with major customers in the region. In April 2024, Alpiq acquired a majority stake in Finnish hydrogen pioneer P2X Solutions; its first green hydrogen plant began commercial operations at Harjavalta in February 2025.
Further information about Alpiq can be found at www.alpiq.com.
Nordic’s first grid-forming BESS
The commissioning of the BESS in Valkeakoski is a technological milestone in the stability of the Nordic power system. It is the first battery energy storage system in the region to fulfil the new grid-forming requirements set by transmission system operator Fingrid for large-scale BESS assets. The system has passed all detailed simulation studies and demanding on-site tests, and has been fully certified. It directly strengthens the grid in a continuously and immediately without external control actions, even during faults or disturbances. The system is capable of actively supporting the power system not only via ancillary service provision but as a core contributor to network stability.
"Flexible capacity and storage is essential in order to reliably integrate wind and solar power into the energy system," says Lukas Gresnigt, Head of International and member of Alpiq's Executive Board. "Our investment in BESS is a clear commitment to security of supply and a better climate. Our first operational BESS is a major step for Alpiq in line with our strategic focus on flexibility. It allows us to actively support the energy transition and improve grid stability. It is an excellent example of how collaboration and innovation can accelerate the green transition."
The project was delivered as a turnkey solution by Finnish technology company Merus Power, one of the leading energy storage providers in the Nordics and which managed the entire process through to commissioning. "We are proud to have partnered with Alpiq to implement the first grid-forming energy storage system in the Nordics," says Kari Tuomala, CEO of Merus Power. "This achievement demonstrates our ability to respond to the new demands of the energy transition swiftly and reliably. The project demonstrates how energy storages enhance grid stability and security of supply, while enabling the broader integration of renewable energy."