The European Commission has concluded that Finland's plans to grant €23 million of public funding for the construction of a small scale LNG terminal at Pori, in the Satakunta region on Finland's west coast, are compatible with EU state aid rules, the Commission press release said.
The project aims to encourage the use of LNG as fuel for ships, in place of fuel oils and liquefied petroleum gases. The Commission concluded that the project contributes to environmental protection and to the security of gas supply in Finland whilst maintaining competition in the Single Market.
Seeking to end the energy isolation of the Baltic Sea Region and to integrate it fully into the EU energy markets is a key building block for the EU’s Energy Union strategy and one of the key priorities of the Juncker Commission. EU Commissioner in charge of competition policy Margrethe Vestager said: "The LNG terminal in Pori is the first of its kind in Finland.
It will provide a new source of cleaner fuel for the maritime industry and diversify Finland's gas supply sources. It is a good example of how EU state aid rules can encourage sound public investment that helps the EU reach its goals on energy security and environmental protection."