LOGY's news outlet Osto&Logistiikka reported on the cusp of summer that, according to the data dashboard of the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), more than 1,000 projects are currently in the pipeline around the country, and new investment intentions worth around €15 billion were announced in the first part of the year alone.
According to Ulla Heinonen, EK's Director of Green Growth, it is particularly significant that firm projects, meaning those that have progressed to execution or received an investment decision, have already accumulated to more than €36 billion since 2021. This is a notable figure in relation to the size of Finland's economy.
In 2025, green investments worth approximately €8,5 billion in total are expected to be completed. The largest projects are concentrated in areas such as:
- data centres
- onshore wind power
- bio-products
- industrial heating solutions
- battery technologies.
Alongside these, energy storage systems have become the most common investment target by number of projects.
EK's Heinonen does note, however, that electricity-using industrial projects in particular need more momentum, as they create the preconditions for a new energy economy and for the realisation of the entire green transition. Decision-making solutions, such as the targeting of investment subsidies, tax incentives, and streamlined permitting processes, can also accelerate project delivery. We can surely all agree on this: now is the time for action, so that investments don't flow outside Finland's borders!
Key Factors in Capital Investment Procurement – Don't Make Hasty Decisions
When preparing a capital investment procurement project at a company, it's worth paying special attention to a carefully refined procurement process. An agreed process speeds up procurement delivery, and the criteria the company emphasises are clear to everyone. It's worth bringing several supplier candidates into the invitation to tender discussion so that the market situation and market pricing can be understood comprehensively. This isn't always the case, of course, when the investment target involves unique technology, for example, but usually alternatives can be found.
Too narrow a pool of supplier candidates can backfire later, if the supplier that has progressed to negotiations cannot, for example, deliver the promised package. A common recommendation is to compare at least three competing bids against agreed criteria before signing a contract with the chosen supplier.
In capital investment procurement, selection is significantly influenced by TCO, or Total Cost of Ownership, which takes into account both the investment costs and the costs of the operational phase, from spare parts and maintenance all the way to energy consumption.
In 2025, supplier selection increasingly emphasises sustainability and supporting green transition objectives. The process includes assessing the sustainability of the supplier, the chosen equipment and materials, and the selected contractors, and auditing them where necessary. TCO calculation should therefore include factors such as carbon footprint, energy efficiency, and potential emission reductions, as these directly affect the long-term value of the investment and the availability of financing. All of this advances supply chain transparency and supports the client's sustainability objectives and risk management.
Sustainable solutions also inevitably strengthen the buying organisation's reputation and help secure competitiveness in a changing market well into the future.
Top 7 Tips for Success in Capital Investment Procurement!
We've previously listed the factors that enable success in capital investment procurement. The topic remains highly relevant, as the LOGY news also shows, which is why we decided to refresh our tips for succeeding in a capital investment procurement project this autumn too.
1. Secure expertise and resource the project team – bring procurement in at the feasibility stage
The earlier procurement expertise is brought into the project, the better surprises in risk, cost, and schedule can be avoided. Proactive preparation creates a solid foundation for the entire project. If the organisation lacks the necessary procurement expertise or resources, solve the situation by bringing interim procurement experts into the project.
2. Build a procurement strategy and a clear process
Define the criteria and scoring for bids and supplier selection; transparency in the selection clarifies the whole process. Carefully prepared tenders and clear criteria help you make decisions efficiently and fairly, without ad hoc choices.
3. Remember seamless and genuinely active collaboration between departments, from planning all the way to commissioning
Working together across different experts enables the best solutions, especially in green projects, where input from different areas is invaluable. Continuous communication and dialogue with suppliers is just as important.
4. Identify your critical suppliers and their capabilities. At the same time, leverage top-tier suppliers' expertise – they are the best in their field for a reason
An experienced and responsible supplier brings new perspectives, even innovations and solutions that might not otherwise have been spotted. This is how you ensure the investment carries far into the future. Where needed, build a multi-supplier strategy to manage risk.
5. Capture both successes and mistakes – there's plenty to learn, and the world around us keeps changing!
Learning from experience makes every next project more efficient and more sustainable. This is how the organisation grows stronger and more ready for new opportunities.
6. Contracts and requirements from the start – sustainability is a competitive advantage
FIDIC or ICC contract templates, or something else entirely? It depends, of course, on the responsibilities involved and on whether the EPC or EPCM model has been chosen for delivery. Remember, too, that sustainability requirements are no longer just an extra clause in an appendix; they are increasingly a decisive factor in the success of the project.
7. Clear metrics and commitment to them guide you to your goals
From staying on budget to staying on schedule and meeting quality measures, not forgetting the results of the sustainability assessment. Metrics steer the work and the project team's priorities throughout the entire investment.
Take These Tips on Board and Join the Journey of a Successful Investment!
The operating environment is changing fast, and the need for the right expertise has to coincide with the right moment, which can be solved by bringing in interim procurement experts as a service for the investment.
In our experience, every investment project is its own entity, and every client has its own processes and tools. Alongside procurement expertise, we bring experience across different contract models, best practices and an outside perspective, efficient tendering and our supplier register, plus a results-driven mindset! Wishing you successful investments!
