Press Release: State aid: Commission approves support package for gasification plant in Finland

On 24 June 2015 the European Commission has concluded that Finnish plans to grant around €10 million of public investment to Vaskiluodon Voima Oy, the operator of a gasification plant in Vaasa, are in line with EU State aid rules. The plant will convert forest biomass (mainly wood chips and a small amount of peat) into gas for electricity generation and district heating instead of using coal. The Commission found that the aid will further EU energy and environmental goals, notably reducing carbon dioxide emissions and dependence on imported coal, whilst maintaining competition in the Single Market.