Finland receives EUR 21 million in EU funding for transport projects

The EU granted funding under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the electrification of the Laurila-Tornio-Haparanda railway, the Oritkari wye in Oulu and Neste's electric vehicle (EV) charging project.

On 7 April 2022, the CEF transport programme committee decided to provide funding for projects in support of military mobility that will also improve civil infrastructure, and for projects in support of infrastructure for alternative fuels. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission speeded up the project selection process.

"We have been very successful with EU funding recently, thanks to well-reasoned proposals. Finland's investments in environmentally-friendly rail transport, electrification of transport and new transport routes are praised in Europe," says Timo Harakka, Minister of Transport and Communications.

Funding for rail transport and EV charging infrastructure

1. Electrification of the Laurila-Tornio track - connection between the Finnish and Swedish railway networks

A total of EUR 14.85 million was granted for the electrification of the Laurila-Tornio-Haparanda track, of which Finland's share was EUR 11 million. The state received EUR 5 million, the National Emergency Supply Agency EUR 0.5 million, Tornio EUR 0.5 million and Keminmaa EUR 0.5 million, and the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) EUR 3.85 million. The Tornio and Haparanda area is a hub of international transport. The aim of the project is to improve the cost-effectiveness of rail transport and the competitiveness of the industry, to strengthen land transport connections between Finland and Sweden and to promote cross-border passenger traffic.

2. Oulu, Oritkari wye connection between the port, the main track and the combined transport terminal

Finland received CEF support for the Oritkari wye in Oulu totalling EUR 7.12 million. EUR 6.33 million of funding was granted to the state and EUR 0.79 million to the City of Oulu. The wye forms a connection between the Port of Oulu, the main track and the combined transport terminal. The new wye will speed up connections to Oritkari Harbour at the Port of Oulu and make freight traffic in the area more efficient.

3. Construction of a public fast EV charging network in Finland

Neste received EUR 3 million for a project aimed at building a public fast EV charging network in Finland. By 2025, the project aims to have built a fast charging station for light and medium-duty electric vehicles at 30 Neste stations around Finland.

A total of EUR 425 million was allocated by the European Commission. Of this, EUR 339 million was earmarked for military mobility projects and EUR 86 million for projects in support of infrastructure for alternative fuels. 

What comes next?

The European Commission will make the funding decisions for the remaining projects of the call for proposals that closed in January in June 2022. Funding decisions are expected, for example, on TEN-T core and comprehensive network projects. The Commission will open the next call for proposals for military mobility projects in May 2022. 

Inquiries:

Ilkka Hamunen, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 295 342 058, ilkka.hamunen(at)gov.fi

Timo Kievari, Director of Unit, tel. +358 400 593 706, timo.kievari(at)gov.fi

Marjukka Vihavainen-Pitkänen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 40 825 1255, marjukka.vihavainen-pitkanen(at)gov.fi