Ilmatar, Nuveen inaugurate 30MW wind co-located BESS in Finland

LinkedIn
Twitter
Reddit
Facebook
Email

Developer Ilmatar and investor Nuveen Infrastructure have put a 30MW/41MWh BESS in northern Finland into commercial operation.

The companies have commissioned the 1.36-hour Ainola battery energy storage system (BESS) project at the Piiparinmäki wind farm in the North Ostrobothnia region.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Enjoy 12 months of exclusive analysis

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Annual digital subscription to the PV Tech Power journal
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Ilmatar said it is one of the largest BESS in Finland that is directly connected to renewable energy production, indicating it at least shares some grid infrastructure with the wind farm, most likely an interconnection point. Energy-Storage.news has reached out to Illmatar for clarification on this aspect.

The BESS will participate in the wholesale electricity market via the day-ahead and intraday markets and is in the process of being approved for the reserve markets.

“We are very pleased and proud that the Ainola BESS – whose development and deployment required pioneering solutions and a forward-looking approach – has now reached commercial operation and full market capability,” said Mika Jantunen, head of technology at Ilmatar.

Ilmatar developed and built the project and retains a 10% stake in its equity, while investment firm Nuveen Infrastructure owns the other 90%, having acquired the wind farm from Ilmatar in 2019. Or rather, Glennmont Partners acquired the project and then was acquired by Nuveen in 2021.

The project was co-developed by Glennmont Partners and, according to the information provided when construction was launched in 2023, the BESS was provided by Netherlands-based system integrator Alfen. Nuveen has since re-branded Glennmont to Nuveen Infrastructure.

The project was initially scheduled to come online in Q2 2024.

In late 2023, Ilmatar scored planning consent for 50MW PV, 20MW BESS in Finland, and the company is also working with ‘Sand Battery’ technology company Polar Night Energy to developer power-to-heat-to-power applications for its thermal energy storage tech. Polar Night Energy just commissioned its largest project yet, a 1MW/100MWh system for district heating.

Opportunities in Finland’s energy trading and ancillary service market are growing as its renewable energy generation does, driving the large-scale BESS market. In 2025 alone, large-scale projects (30MW-70MW) have been launched by Eco Stor AS, Ingrid Capacity and SEB Nordic Energy, NTR, Renewable Power Capital (RPC) and Ardian.

2 December 2025
NH Collection Vittorio Veneto, Rome, Italy
Across two packed days, the Summit focused on three core themes: revenue & trading, the lifecycle of the battery, and optimisation tools. Attendees explored innovative strategies for enhancing asset performance and longevity, with a spotlight on key markets like Germany, Italy, and the UK. Stay tuned for details on the 2025 edition of the Battery Asset Management Summit Europe, where we’ll continue to chart the path forward for energy storage asset management.
24 February 2026
InterContinental London - The O2, London, UK
This isn’t just another summit – it’s our biggest and most exhilarating Summit yet! Picture this: immersive workshop spaces where ideas come to life, dedicated industry working groups igniting innovation, live podcasts sparking lively discussions, hard-hitting keynotes that will leave you inspired, and an abundance of networking opportunities that will take your connections to new heights!

Read Next

July 9, 2025
US energy storage projects that begin construction by the end of 2033 will remain eligible for investment tax credit (ITC) incentives.
July 9, 2025
UK BESS owner Gresham House Energy Storage Fund (GRID) has entered into long-term floor agreements with Statkraft and Markel Bermuda, which will partially replace its toll with Octopus once that expires next year.
July 8, 2025
Developer Merus Power has delivered and commissioned a 38MW/43MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Lappeenranta, Finland.
Premium
July 8, 2025
Listing via the Hong Kong Stock Exchange is emerging as a key financing pathway for China’s energy storage players, writes Carrie Xiao.
July 8, 2025
Major Australian energy generator-retailer EnergyAustralia has sold a 50% share in its 1,400MWh Wooreen battery energy storage system (BESS) to Thailand-based energy firm Banpu Public Company.

Most Popular

Email Newsletter