Hydrogen is making waves in the field of renewable energy. It’s supposed to be the next big thing. But the clean-energy space shifts fast. A twist is forming, and it involves a different kind of power source in Finland that could change the whole energy game in this region of Europe.

If not hydrogen, then what’s the next big development in renewable energy?

Something unusual is brewing at the Hammaslahti site in Finland, and it isn’t some minor side story. The energy conversation might be about to tilt and hydrogen could soon have competition. A second contender is stepping up.

Helium is now being taken seriously as a clean-energy player. Not long ago, 80 Mile PLC came across unexpectedly strong helium readings and a surprising amount of natural hydrogen.

Helium in Finland represents a surprising new development when it comes to clean energy

Some reports say the helium was found “under the snow,” but that’s more metaphor than fact. What happened was still odd enough. In Hammaslahti, near Outokumpu in eastern Finland, old drill holes were letting out gas at the surface.

When 80 Mile checked, they found helium drifting out. The numbers hit around 8.9% at first, then settled at about 7.1%. For helium, that’s massive; not some faint trace but a serious concentration with real potential.

What makes this helium find in Finland so special?

The team didn’t just find helium. They also detected natural hydrogen. That’s getting a lot of attention lately, since natural hydrogen reservoirs can refill themselves. A possible self-renewing source of clean energy. But helium is the real headline here. It’s rare, valuable, and expensive to extract. It’s essential for medical imaging, space tech, and superconductors. 80 Mile believes these readings hint at a commercially viable reserve, something the world badly needs.

Hydrogen’s been found in Finland, too

The bonus discovery is the hydrogen running with it. Surface readings topped out at 1,000 ppm, which is simply the limit of their handheld detector. That means natural hydrogen is seeping upwards through those old drill holes.

Helium remains the top prize. Natural hydrogen is being discovered in more places, but the economics around it are still a puzzle. Helium, on the other hand, is already rare and in high demand. A find like this will spark interest, as other places could hold energy reserves similar to this one. The world could benefit greatly from more of these reservoirs.

Why this discovery of helium in Finland could have vast potential

If 80 Mile has really located a scalable helium deposit, this could shift how the world looks at clean-energy supply chains. Helium demand is heavy, yet supply struggles to keep up. Most of it comes from hard-to-operate regions or is tied to fossil fuel extraction. The world is trying to move away from that. Decarbonization is the order of the day.

A stable, secure helium source in Finland would be a major development. It doesn’t mean hydrogen hype is over, but it raises a serious question: why pour massive investment into hydrogen infrastructure if helium can be produced more easily and serve key industries right now? Helium isn’t flammable, unlike hydrogen. It’s safer to handle and simpler to move.

Finland will look closely at all of this, and so will anyone watching the clean-energy market. Time will tell how it plays out, but this find is a tempting signal. If more deposits like this show up around the world, the renewable-energy discussion could shift in ways few expected.

Disclaimer: Our coverage of events affecting companies is purely informative and descriptive. Under no circumstances does it seek to promote an opinion or create a trend, nor can it be taken as investment advice or a recommendation of any kind.