Fortum to Close Finland's Last Coal Power Plant

Fortum announced it will permanently close and dismantle its Meri-Pori coal-fired power plant, with operations ceasing in March 2027. This move marks a significant step in Finland's transition away from coal power.

Following the closure, Fortum and the city of Pori plan to transform the Meri-Pori Tahkoluoto site into an industrial area powered by clean energy. This initiative aims to foster sustainable industrial development in the region.

Finland has legislated a ban on using coal for electricity and heat production, effective from May 2029. However, the practical phase-out of coal power in the country largely concluded in spring 2025 when Helen shut down its coal-fired plant in Helsinki. Despite this, some coal capacity has been maintained for security of supply purposes, with a few energy companies utilizing small amounts of coal for operational reliability. The Meri-Pori plant itself has been under the Finnish national emergency supply agency's control in recent years, primarily for test runs rather than active power generation.