Kanerva Sunila

Counsel, Member of the Finnish Bar, Doctor of Science (Technology)

Services

  1. Environment, Energy & Green Transition
  2. International Construction & Projects
  3. ESG and Corporate Sustainability

Contact details

I advise clients on energy law assignments, on industrial and infrastructure projects and on contractual issues related to these sectors. Prior to joining Castrén & Snellman, I worked at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, where I drafted energy market legislation and prepared energy policies at the national, international and EU level. I have also worked as a lawyer at the Energy Authority (the Finnish national regulatory authority) and as a researcher focusing on energy and environmental law questions related to, e.g. offshore wind power. In May 2023, I defended my doctoral thesis on electricity market law and energy transition at Aalto University.

I am passionate about energy law and the energy sector – not least because of the sector’s importance in the green transition. I believe that to properly understand energy law, you need to understand how the sector itself works. Due to my versatile work experience, I see the wider background behind the assignments and the needs of the clients. I enjoy challenging legal questions and am particularly interested in how innovative solutions enabling energy transition are regulated.

Latest references

Verne Global – Data center project in Mäntsälä
We are assisting Verne Global Ltd, the leading provider of sustainably powered HPC data centers in the Nordics, in developing a data center in Mäntsälä, Finland. We advised Verne in acquiring the real estate company managing the Mäntsälä site, as well as in the subsequent acquisition of the site itself. Our assistance extends beyond real estate transactions to include permitting and tax-related matters. Additionally, we advise Verne on grid connection and electricity supply matters. The acquisition of the project site in Mäntsälä marks Verne’s fourth data center in Finland, reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable and scalable data center solutions. The Mäntsälä campus, spanning 10 hectares and located just a 40-minute drive from Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport, will initially offer a capacity of 70 MW. The facility is designed to support data-intensive enterprises and AI innovators running HPC, machine learning, and other high-intensity workloads, all while operating exclusively on renewable energy. Verne’s new facility will adhere to the company’s best practice design principles, focusing on maximizing efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. The campus will be powered entirely by renewable energy sources, and waste heat generated by the data center will be utilized for local community heating projects. The company is working closely with the Mäntsälä Municipality to ensure the new facility benefits the local area, including plans to harness waste heat for district heating. Construction of Verne’s Mäntsälä data center is set to begin in mid-2025 and is expected to take two years to complete. This expansion is a strategic move in Verne’s long-term plan to build out its sustainably powered data center platform, which was acquired by Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, in early 2024. Ardian has already invested over EUR 1.6 billion in the Nordics, focusing on energy transition and digital infrastructure projects, and is working with Verne to drive sustainable growth across the region.  Read Verne Global’s press release.
Case published 20.2.2025
City of Pori – Sale of 49% stake in Pori Energia to Polhem Infra
Castrén & Snellman is acting as the legal advisor to the City of Pori in its sale of a 49% stake in Pori Energia to Polhem Infra. Pori Energia, a multi-utility company, operates in various sectors including district heating, electricity distribution, and electricity generation through CHP and renewable sources. The company also provides wind power services and industrial energy solutions in the Satakunta region. This strategic partnership between the City of Pori and Polhem Infra aims to enhance Pori Energia’s financial stability and investment capabilities, enabling the company to further its efforts in the energy transition and continue delivering high-quality energy services to its customers. Polhem Infra, owned by Swedish state pension funds, focuses on investments in critical infrastructure, including renewable electricity generation, energy storage, energy distribution, digital infrastructure, and transport infrastructure. The transaction values Pori Energia at EUR 905 million. 
Case published 31.1.2025
Oomi – Transfer of KSS Energia’s electricity sales contracts for consumer and business customers to Oomi
We are advising Oomi Oy in a business transaction whereby KSS Energia Oy’s consumer and business customers in the retail sale of electricity will be transferred to Oomi. The transfer is scheduled to take place in March 2025. The arrangement requires approval from the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority. Oomi Oy is one of the largest energy service companies and electricity sellers in Finland. The arrangement is a result of the recent development of the electricity market and Oomi’s strategy, which aims to offer customers a seamless and improved digital customer experience.
Case published 20.12.2024
Oomi – Assistance with electricity market matters
We are advising Oomi Oy in questions relating to electricity market legislation, consumer protection and marketing law. Oomi is one of the largest electricity sales companies in Finland. The company sells electricity contracts, solar power systems and electric car charging solutions to consumers and businesses.
Case published 19.6.2023
Excelerate Energy – Chartering an FSRU to Finland
We advised Excelerate Energy on the conclusion of a lease agreement with Gasgrid Finland Oy for the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) Exemplar. The Inkoo LNG terminal project will have a significant impact on securing the supply of gas to Finland and Estonia as imports of pipeline gas from Russia cease. The Exemplar is the first FSRU in Finland and the Inkoo LNG terminal project is legally unique. Moreover, the project, which is critical for Finland’s and the Baltics’ gas supply, was completed in an exceptionally short timeframe. Our experts assisted the company in a wide range of areas including contracts, energy legislation, licensing, labour law, taxation and structuring.
Case published 9.6.2023
Ahlström Capital – Merger of Enics and GPV International
Castrén & Snellman and Danish law firm Plesner are advising Ahlström Capital and its portfolio company Enics Group in the contemplated merger between Enics Group and GPV International A/S, wholly owned by the public listed company Schouw & Co A/S.  The transaction values the combined business at more than DKK 4 billion. The merger will create Europe’s second-largest EMS (electronics manufacturing services) company with production facilities across worldwide and with more than 7,500 employees globally. Schouw & Co A/S will hold 80% of the shares in the merged entity and Ahlström Capital will hold the remaining 20% of the shares. The completion of the acquisition is subject to customary approvals, including from competition authorities in certain jurisdictions. Schouw & Co. is a Danish industrial conglomerate listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen. Ahlström Capital is a family-owned investment company.
Case published 23.6.2022
eQ Community Properties Fund – Sale of two healthcare properties
We assisted eQ Community Properties Fund in the sale of two healthcare properties to a fund managed by Northern Horizon. The properties have a total floor area of approximately 3,500 square meters. The two properties are located in Espoo and Lahti. The Espoo asset was completed in 2018 and the Lahti asset was completed in 2023. Both assets are operated by Attendo, the leading care provider in the Nordic region.
Case published 9.5.2025
BMW AG – Enforcement of BMW’s trademark and design rights
We successfully represented BMW in an exceptionally long dispute over whether the spare rims sold by the defendant and the hub caps included in them infringed BMW’s trademark and design rights. The Market Court found that the sign used by the defendant caused a likelihood of confusion with BMW’s trademarks. The defendant had used the sign on the hub caps and in the marketing of the hub caps and rims, leading the Market Court to find that the defendant had infringed BMW’s trademark rights. The defendant admitted to infringing BMW’s Community design but denied the related injunction claim. However, the Market Court found that there was no particular reason to refrain from issuing an injunction. The Market Court prohibited the defendant from continuing to infringe BMW’s trademarks and Community design and ordered the defendant to alter or destroy the products and marketing materials that infringed BMW’s rights. Furthermore, the Market Court ordered the defendant to pay BMW EUR 70,000 in reasonable compensation and EUR 80,000 in damages for the trademark infringements, as well as EUR 7,000 in reasonable compensation and EUR 8,000 in damages for the design right infringement. The amounts can be considered exceptionally high in Finland. Additionally, the Market Court ordered the defendant to pay a significant portion of BMW’s legal costs with interest on late payment. In its decision of 11 March 2025, the Supreme Court of Finland did not grant the defendant leave to appeal, and also decided that there was no need to seek a preliminary ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union. Thus, the Market Court’s judgements (MAO:494/18 ja 517/2023) are final. In addition to the main dispute, BMW demanded in a separate proceeding that one of the defendant’s trademark registrations be revoked. A total of three separate legal proceedings were conducted in the Market Court regarding the revocation. The defendant’s trademark registration was ultimately revoked.
Case published 9.5.2025

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