The first electric street lights turned on in Oulu on December 8, 1889. The necessary electricity for street lighting—initially a few dozen arc lamps—was provided by a steam engine in Kiikeli. The power of the machine was 36 horsepower, or about 26 kilowatts. The lighting of the electric street lights also marked the beginning of the operations of Oulun Energia. The beginning was modest, but over the years, a small steam engine and a few street lamps have grown into a significant energy and circular economy group.

The beginning was not only open-minded, but also a sign of pioneering, as electric street lamps were a completely new technology at the time. They were introduced in Oulu as the second city in Finland, one year after Tampere. The same spirit of open-mindedness and courage to reach new heights still prevails in Oulun Energia.

We are proud of our history, which has created a solid foundation for success and for the future. Oulun Energia has a strong past, which allows us to build an even stronger future with confidence. We are boldly heading towards the new in order to keep the Oulu region vibrant. The company's solid foundation lies in energy production and in ensuring that heat and electricity have a safe way to reach people. We are also investing heavily in circular economy.

A lot has happened in our long history. Oulun Energia has built power plants, made other large investments, and grown from an electricity plant into an energy and circular economy company.

Northern Power is an attitude; by being uncompromising, we will keep the Oulu region strong, and tomorrow we will change the whole world.