EPV Energy partners with Wärtsilä on 43-MW Lappeenranta gas plant

EPV Energy is developing a 43-MW engine-based power plant at the Mertaniemi site in Lappeenranta, Finland. Wärtsilä will deliver the facility under a full engineering, procurement, and construction contract and provide a six-year service agreement focused on digital maintenance analytics. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The 43-MW facility is part of EPV’s balancing power program. It is located on the existing Mertaniemi power plant site. The plant is scheduled to be fully operational in the first half of 2029.

Flexible technology for grid balancing needs

The plant will use four Wärtsilä 34SG engines designed to run on natural gas initially and transition to biogas and synthetic renewable gases. This engine technology provides the rapid start-stop capability essential for grid balancing as the share of variable renewable energy in Finland’s power system rises.

EPV Energy CEO Rami Vuola stated that flexibility is a key requirement for future power systems. This is due to increasing weather dependency and rising electricity demand. The new power plant will provide reliable power during demand peaks, system disturbances, and periods when wind or solar generation is insufficient.

EPV expands balancing power programme

This Lappeenranta plant marks EPV Energy's second facility in its balancing power programme. The first plant in the program, located in Tornio, Finland, entered operations in April 2026.

The Mertaniemi plant is part of EPV’s strategy to secure grid flexibility. It will strengthen Finland’s power system’s flexibility and security of supply.

Digital maintenance agreement enhances operations

The six-year service agreement aims to bring predictability to maintenance and operations through digital analytics and predictive maintenance. Wärtsilä will provide maintenance planning and coordination, operational support, and advanced predictive maintenance based on digital analytics through the Wärtsilä Expertise Centre.

This agreement will help EPV optimize the power plant’s availability and efficiency. The digital approach is intended to enhance operational support.

Local and national significance confirmed

Arto Nikkanen, CEO of Lappeenrannan Energia, welcomed the investment. He noted it strengthens Lappeenranta’s role in Finland’s evolving power system and stated that the site continues to play an important role in Finland’s energy future.

Kenneth Engblom, vice president for Africa and Europe at Wärtsilä Energy, stated that the technology enables operators to respond quickly to the needs of the market and grid. Wärtsilä Energy also provides intelligent grid stability solutions to the market in Africa.

The plant will provide reliable power during demand peaks, system disturbances, and periods when wind or solar generation is insufficient.