The Energy Road was an operational environment improvement project which intended to produce development, testing and presentation services for companies specialising in of the use of wood for energy production in North Karelia. The Energy Road off ered small and new companies assistance in developing and testing new innovations and solutions and with the introduction of industry-related products. It also provided an information centre regarding products, services and subcontracting available on the market, company-specifi c studies of operational opportunities and educational trips and seminars regarding the Republic of Karelia. Achievements: The Energy Road Information Centre, which showcases renewable energy, was established in cooperation with businesses in Tuupovaara. The centre featured brochures regarding wood energy, literature pertaining to the bioenergy industry, and, for equipment demonstration purposes, a pellet heating system operated by wind energy. The project held nine information events on the subject of bioenergy and organised three seminars for experts. In addition, the project organised lectures on the subject of renewable energy sources for the schools in its region. Presenting functional sites that use bioenergy was a signifi cant part of the training. The project also arranged several educational and seminar trips to Russia. During the project, a study regarding bioenergy use for 25 different heating sites was completed. The project participated as an expert resource in product development or the introduction of a finished product to market for several companies. The work included product evaluations, product introduction at the Energy Road Information Centre, researching the brand, marketing channels and export opportunities to Russia, and preparing applications for funding and quotation requests. The project did not succeed in creating a pilot energy production facility at Suojrvi that would use renewable energy sources; there were problems in obtaining the necessary self-fi nancing from the Russians and also with the continuous changes in public administration. The project sped up implementation of participating companies product development projects: seeking suitable contacts, expertise regarding financing arrangement options and product patenting as well as the possibility to engage in marketing cooperation made it easier to bring products under development to market. The results of the Russia cooperative effort included the JPK Tuote Oy export agency in Petrozavodsk, bioenergy technology certification assessments for Russian export purposes and the Tolvajrvi travel hotel heating and electrical plan. In addition, Vapo Oy negotiated the export of heat production facilities and associated activity to Russian Karelia.