Bothnia Green Energy (BGE) has been a cross‑border initiative dedicated to accelerating sustainable energy development in the Kvarken region. Running from 1st of January 2023 to 31st of December 2025, the project brought together key Finnish and Swedish actors to build new networks, support innovation, and strengthen the competitiveness of regional companies. Its core mission has been to promote collaboration and investments in sustainable energy solutions, ensuring that companies in the region are well positioned to develop and commercialize the energy technologies of the future.
Pilots Driving Innovation
Power to Talent
The Power to Talent pilot addressed one of the most urgent challenges in the energy sector: attracting and retaining skilled professionals. Through close collaboration with HR departments from six energy companies, the pilot created a platform for cross border cooperation, job shadowing, shared learning, and discussions on emerging themes such as AI in HR. These activities strengthened the understanding of talent needs across the region and fostered new connections between Finnish and Swedish energy companies.
The work culminated in the Talent Attraction Toolbox, a practical guide that compiles tools, methods, and insights developed during the pilot. It supports companies in improving their HR practices and becoming more attractive employers, ensuring that the region’s energy sector is better equipped to secure the talent it needs for the future.
Construction and Real Estate
This pilot focused on identifying energy related needs in the construction and real estate sector and highlighting companies offering innovative solutions. A major milestone was the matchmaking event held in Umeå in 2024, where more than 70 matches were made between solution providers and property sector need owners. The event demonstrated the strong demand for new technologies and the value of connecting actors across borders.
As the pilot concluded, the established networks and ongoing work with innovative energy solutions in properties were handed over to Uminova Innovation and their project Innovationspiloter för omställning. This ensures that the momentum created within BGE continues and that companies in the region can keep developing and implementing new solutions.
Excess Heat
The Excess Heat pilot explored the significant potential of utilizing industrial waste heat by connecting companies that produce excess heat with those offering suitable technologies. Over the course of the project, ten webinars were organized, bringing together experts, companies, and stakeholders to discuss technologies, business models, and real world examples. These sessions helped raise awareness and build competence around excess heat utilization across the Kvarken region.
The pilot resulted in the Excess Heat Toolbox, which includes an Idea Register featuring 37 solutions from 29 companies, as well as a Toolbox report summarizing insights and recommendations. Together, these resources provide a practical foundation for companies interested in exploring excess heat opportunities.
DC Networks
The DC Networks pilot investigated the potential of transferring energy directly as direct current (DC) between production and consumption units, bypassing the alternating current (AC) phase. This approach can improve efficiency in certain applications, and the pilot examined where such solutions could be feasible in the Kvarken region. The work included a feasibility study conducted by AFRY, which analyzed technical and economic conditions for DC networks of two cases: one an industrial park in Pietarsaari, and one in a parking house in Umeå.
To support further exploration, the pilot produced an open calculation tool, along with an explanatory video and a final webinar available on the Kvarken Council homepage. These resources help companies and municipalities evaluate when DC solutions may be beneficial and how they could be implemented in practice.
Strengthening Regional Energy Resilience
In 2024, BGE facilitated the establishment of Energiberedningen, a collaboration platform for member utility companies. Its purpose is to continue developing the regional energy collaboration and strengthen resilience in the Kvarken region. This initiative ensures that the cooperation and strategic dialogue initiated during BGE will continue beyond the project’s lifetime.
Events and Highlights
Throughout the project, BGE partners actively shared knowledge, built networks, and showcased Nordic collaboration at a wide range of events. The project participated twice in Energy Week and twice in Kokkola Material Week, contributing to discussions on sustainable energy and regional development. Partners also took part in a cluster study visit to Graz, gaining valuable insights into international innovation ecosystems, and presented the work of BGE and the broader Nordic collaboration in Bucharest, strengthening visibility beyond the Kvarken region. The project concluded with a final conference in Örnsköldsvik, where partners and stakeholders gathered to reflect on achievements, exchange experiences, and discuss future opportunities for continued cooperation.
Thank You
Bothnia Green Energy has demonstrated the power of cross border collaboration in driving sustainable innovation. The achievements of the past three years were made possible by the commitment, expertise, and enthusiasm of all partners, financiers, companies, and individuals involved.
A warm thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of BGE. Together, we have built a stronger, greener, and more connected Kvarken region.
Project Partners: Jakobstad Region Development Company Concordia, Kokkola Region Development Company KOSEK, The Kvarken Council EGTC (lead partner and coordinating beneficiary), Technology Centre Merinova, Skellefteå Science City, Umeå Municipality, Vaasa Region Development Company VASEK, and Övik Energi
Financiers: Interreg Aurora, Jakobstad Region Development Company Concordia, Herrfors, Kokkolan Energia, City of Kokkola, Kvarken Council EGTC Regional Council of Lapland, Technology Centre Merinova, Region Västerbotten, Region Västernorrland, Skellefteå Municipality, Skellefteå Kraft, Umeå Energi, Umeå Municipality, Vaasan Sähkö, City of Vaasa, Vaasa Region Development Company VASEK, Örnsköldsvik Municipality, Övik Energi