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Press release by Sitra, Cleantech Invest and One1 on 21 February 2012
Sitra and Cleantech Invest have invested in One1, a Lahti-based company providing energy islands for local renewable energy production. In addition to supporting local use of renewable energy sources, the investment facilitates the growth and internationalisation of One1.
One1’s solutions enable energy companies to centrally produce renewable heat energy – such as ground heat and solar heat – in a selected area. This offers their customers an opportunity to buy clean local energy as easily as they have purchased heat from the district heating system. In addition, customers are offered up-to-date information on energy use.
“This is an interesting investment, because One1’s service concept makes it possible to offer renewable energy to end users effortlessly and cost-efficiently. The company’s energy solutions are based on each customer’s needs and adapt to local available energy sources,” says Partner Timo Linnainmaa from Cleantech Invest.
Sami Tuhkanen, Senior Lead of Sitra’s Energy Programme, added: “One1’s business operations support Sitra’s strategy of increasing the supply of renewable energy produced close to the end user. We believe that One1 has a good chance of developing into a significant provider of local energy services and comprehensive solutions in Finland and abroad.”
International interest
In solutions developed by One1, the energy needs of buildings in a specific area are largely met through locally produced renewable energy. In addition, One1 is in the process of developing a local energy portal that supports the implementation of renewable energy solutions. The purpose of the portal is to bring energy production, services and consumption close to consumers and strengthen the community. Making use of local competence in services and technologies is key to One1’s regional solutions. The company’s local energy concept, which combines renewable energy with top Finnish expertise, has already attracted international interest.
“Environmental technology products of high quality have been developed in Finland over the years. However, their commercialisation and export have progressed slowly. One1 develops single solutions into comprehensive solutions that have international market potential,” says Mika Kallio, Chief Executive Officer of One1.
“Through its operations, One1 contributes to the export of Finnish environmental technology and the internationalisation of the sector. It also brings financial, social and ecological benefits to its partners,” says Kallio.
Established in 2010, One1 is located at the Lahti Science and Business Park, which specialises in promoting the cleantech sector. One1’s business operations are based on practical needs and scientific research. Cleantech Invest’s and Sitra’s investment have expanded One1’s funding base, enabling the company to actively seek growth and internationalisation.
More information
Sami Tuhkanen
Senior Lead, Sitra
Tel. +358 40 548 3482
firstname.lastname@sitra.fi
Mika Kallio
CEO, One1
Tel. +358 44 323 7707
firstname.lastname@one1.fi
Timo Linnainmaa
Partner, Cleantech Invest
Tel. +358 50 581 0583
firstname.lastname@cleantechinvest.com
One1 is a Finnish turnkey provider of renewable energy solutions. Its solutions include development, technologies and local services as well as a local energy portal designed for service operations. One1’s solutions make use of ground heat, wind, solar power and other natural energy sources and are based on developing and centralising renewable energy technologies as part of local heating concepts. The company seeks to use energy sources that best suit the needs of consumers and specific areas.
Sitra’s Energy Programme contributes to improving the energy efficiency of the built environment and the energy awareness of Finns, in addition to creating new business opportunities from the transition that the energy sector is undergoing. The programme will seek innovative operating models and technologies to attain improved energy efficiency and invest in companies in the sector to accelerate their growth and internationalisation.
Cleantech Invest (CTI) has served as an adviser to financial institutions and companies investing in clean technology since 2005. CTI also aids cleantech companies with development and commercialisation. In November 2009, CTI began operating as a business accelerator and an early-stage venture capitalist for Finnish cleantech companies as part of the VIGO programme. CTI facilitates the development of early-stage cleantech companies by combining private investments from its CFF 1 fund with public innovation funding in a unique manner.