A hybrid power plant can consist of one or more renewable energy generation sources alongside an energy storage system. Wind and solar complement each other over time — when one produces less, the other often produces more. Energy storage, in turn, ensures that production and consumption do not have to occur simultaneously.
Renewable energy already accounts for nearly half of Finland’s total energy production. Rapidly electrifying industries are driving substantial growth in demand for renewable energy. In addition, data centers looking to establish themselves in the Nordics require continuous, reliable, and responsibly produced power.
A long-term power purchase agreement from a hybrid power plant – a reliable and financially sound solution
Major electricity consumers advance their sustainability objectives by procuring responsibly generated clean energy through long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
“PPAs based on hybrid power plants provide customers with added value compared to agreements that rely on a single generation technology. Combining, for example, wind and solar power with energy storage results in smoother output and less dependence on weather conditions. An intelligent control system optimises generation and improves grid utilization. This leads to more stable and predictable electricity production, which is particularly important for large-scale energy users,” says Antti Lehtinen, Director, Procurement at Ilmatar.
Although PPAs are typically fixed-price contracts, the predictability and stability of hybrid power plant output benefit both parties.
“From the producer’s perspective, risks can be managed more effectively, enabling more competitive pricing for customers. For the customer, this means a stable energy supply without the need to rely on additional market-priced purchases. At the same time, responsible, genuinely renewable power generation supports climate objectives and better addresses ESG goals. In short, a hybrid power plant offers both business stability and sustainability benefits under a single, reliable agreement,” says Mikko Hyvölä, Business Development Associate at Ilmatar.
A frontrunner in hybrid power plant development
The Ainola battery energy storage system, built alongside Ilmatar’s Piiparinmäki wind farm in Northern Ostrobothnia, entered commercial operation in June 2025. Ainola is among the first energy storage facilities in Finland.
Since 2021, Ilmatar has been systematically developing energy storage projects as part of the renewable energy landscape of the future. The company has a total of 15 energy storage projects planned or under development alongside its wind and solar farms in Finland and Sweden.
