Wärtsilä to deliver the world's first SOFC fuel...

Wärtsilä Corporation, Press Release, 21 February 2008 at 10:00 am

Wärtsilä will deliver a unique fuel cell unit producing electric and
heating power to the Vaasa Housing Fair site in Western Finland. The
fuel cell power plant, which is based on planar solid oxide fuel cell
(SOFC) technology, is the first of its kind in the world. The plant
is fuelled by biogas or methane originating from a nearby landfill.
At the first stage, it will produce an electric output of
approximately 20 kW and a thermal output of 14 to 17 kW.

The fuel cell power plant delivered by Wärtsilä will produce both
electricity and heating for the fair site's needs at very high
efficiency. The emissions from a biogas-fuelled fuel cell are very
low, which means that the solution supports the development of
sustainable energy technology.

Unique energy production solution for the fair site

The Vaasa Housing Fair to be held between 11 July and 10 August 2008
is a pioneer in the implementation of energy production processes for
a restricted area. Electricity and heating are produced and consumed
within the area. In addition to fuel cells, power and heat are
produced with microturbines and from low-temperature heat collected
from the sea bed using a geothermal heating pump.

In addition to the fuel cell plant delivery, Wärtsilä is responsible
for building development and project-time financing for the power
plant building at the fair site. Wärtsilä's partners in the project
include Sarlin Oy, Mateve Oy, Suomen Lämpöpumpputekniikka Oy, Sonera,
as well as the City of Vaasa, Vaasan Sähköverkko, Vaasan Sähkö and
Vaasan Vesi. The Vaasa Housing Fair site is located in Suvilahti,
approximately three kilometres east of the Vaasa city centre.

Development of fuel cell technology as part of Wärtsilä's strategy

The fuel cell power plant to be delivered to the housing fair site is
a part of Wärtsilä's long-term fuel cell technology development
project. The development of fuel cell technology is a part of
Wärtsilä's long-term product development aimed at supplementing
Wärtsilä's product portfolio. The fuel cell unit for the fair site is
Wärtsilä's first field application of this technology. The
development of environmentally friendly, cleaner and sustainable
energy production technologies is an essential part of Wärtsilä's
strategy.

Wärtsilä is one of the leading companies in the world developing fuel
cell systems based on SOFC technology. The development is supported
by close collaboration with the Danish company Topsoe Fuel Cells A/S
and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The characteristics of
SOFC technology include a high operating temperature, excellent
efficiency and the ability to use several different fuels,
particularly natural gas and biogases. Fuel cell technology is indeed
regarded as one of the most promising forms of energy production in
the future. Wärtsilä's centre of competence for this technology is
located at Otaniemi in Espoo. The Vaasa engine laboratory is also
involved in fuel cell development.

The landfill gas used by the fuel cell power plant is a renewable
fuel, which means that fuel cell technology is compliant with the
energy and climate package of the EU Commission. EU requires Finland
to increase the share of renewable sources from the present 28.5 per
cent to 38 per cent of energy production by 2020.

The significance of biogases increases in decentralised energy
production. The benefits of decentralised energy production include
more efficient utilisation of local sources of energy, shorter
transport distances for fuels and reduced energy transmission losses.
Biogas-based fuels are energy sources compliant with sustainable
development. In addition to landfills, biogases are generated in
agriculture and water treatment plants, for example.

Additional information:

Erkko Fontell, Director, fuel cell unit, Wärtsilä Finland Oy,
tel. [phone]

Juha Kytölä, President, Wärtsilä Finland Oy,
tel. [phone]


Wärtsilä in brief

Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them
with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and
environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the
marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as
services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out
to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is
achieved by the dedication of more than 16,000 professionals manning
150 Wärtsilä locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is
listed on The Nordic Exchange in Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com