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Fortum inaugurates Kalla Test Center in Loviisa
18 May 2026 at 13:00 EEST
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Fortum today inaugurates the Kalla Test Center in Loviisa, Finland, marking a new phase in the company’s hydrogen journey with the transition into long‑term testing and operational learning under real operating conditions. Insights gained at Kalla will support Fortum’s future hydrogen projects and customer needs. Fortum’s strategic goal is to deliver reliable energy to customers and drive the decarbonisation of industries and societies in the Nordics.
Fortum decided to build the Kalla Test Center as part of its step‑by‑step approach to exploring hydrogen’s role in the energy transition. The project represents an investment of € 20 million, covering both construction and operational phases. Site preparation for the approximately 2 MW hydrogen plant facility began in autumn 2024, followed by actual construction starting in summer 2025. The first hydrogen was produced during the commissioning phase in December 2025. Kalla Test Center is expected to be fully operational during summer 2026 and it will operate as a learning and development platform through 2028.
“The inauguration of the Kalla Test Center marks a clear transition from initial commissioning to structured testing and long‑term learning. At Kalla, we are building the practical experience needed to develop hydrogen solutions. This step‑by‑step approach is essential to ensure both technical readiness and commercial viability,” says Satu Sipola, Vice President, P2X & Project Execution at Fortum.
“The transition away from fossil fuels depends on electrification, and hydrogen is a key enabler in making that transition possible. At Fortum, we are committed to accelerating this development, and Kalla Test Center is an important step forward,” says Peter Strannegård, Executive Vice President, Renewables and Decarbonisation at Fortum.
The inauguration brings together customers, partners, local stakeholders and colleagues involved in the development of the Kalla Test Center. Fortum would like to thank its partners, including electrolyser providers Hystar and Stargate Hydrogen, as well as the local community in Loviisa, for their cooperation in supporting industrial decarbonisation and hydrogen development in Finland.
About Kalla Test Center
The Kalla Test Center is Fortum’s pilot‑scale hydrogen production facility located in Loviisa, Finland. The facility is used to test and compare hydrogen production technologies under real operating conditions, with the aim of building technical knowledge, operational experience and commercial readiness to support future hydrogen projects and customer solutions.
Kalla is among the first sites in the Nordics to operate and test two different electrolyser technologies side by side within the same facility.
Further information:
Fortum News Desk, newsdesk
Satu Sipola, VP, P2X & Project Execution, Satu.Sipola