Page 55: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Mar/Apr 2026)

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aasa is not a capital city, nor is it large by Eu- ropean standards. But it is one of the most concentrated energy technology hubs in the

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Nordics. The EnergyVaasa cluster compris- es more than 180 companies, employs around 13,000 people, generates over $7 billion (€ 6 billion) in an- nual turnover and exports roughly 80% of its output.

Annual R&D spending in the cluster stands at around $295 million (€ 250 million), with further infrastruc- ture investments expected to reach $2.23 billion (€1.9 billion) by 2030.

That industrial base shapes the city’s identity, explain- ing also why EnergyWeek, held in Vaasa in mid-March, has become more than a conference. The event refects the breadth of the city’s industrial ecosystem, bringing togeth- er stakeholders across wind, renewables, energy storage, clean gas, and system-level innovation.

EnergyWeek was structured around thematic days - in- cluding wind and renewable energy, energy storage, and clean gas energy - mirroring the key pillars of the energy transition. This year’s edition drew more than 11,000 par- ticipants from 50 countries, underlining Vaasa’s position as a meeting point for the global energy sector.

The opening sessions also highlighted the international dimension of the event, with keynote contributions from multiple ambassador delegations, reinforcing how Vaasa’s energy cluster connects not only to European markets but to a broader global dialogue on energy security, resilience and decarbonization.

© Amir Garanovic

MARCH/APRIL 2026 OFFSHORE ENGINEER 55