Helsinki, Finland, 10 February 2010 -- Stora Enso has signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for a EUR 65 million loan to be used for the Ostroleka power plant construction project in Poland. The loan agreement is part of the commitment by EIB to lend altogether EUR 230 million to Stora Enso for research and development and the Ostroleka power plant project.

"We have a long and good relationship with EIB and we are delighted that through this agreement EIB is supporting our power plant project to improve Ostroleka mill's energy self-sufficiency and energy efficiency," said Stora Enso CFO Markus Rauramo. "Along with the Langerbrugge and Maxau energy investments, the Ostroleka power plant is one of our biggest cost improvement investments this year at our existing mills in Europe. The terms of the loan are very competitive."

The Ostroleka power plant, sceduled for completion in the third quarter of 2010, will further improve the cost competitiveness of Stora Enso's operations in Poland. As announced on 03 November 2008, the total investment in the Ostroleka power plant is estimated at EUR 137 million.

Stora Enso is a world leader in forest industry sustainability. The company offers solutions based on renewable raw materials. Its products provide a climate-friendly alternative to many nonrenewable materials, and have a smaller carbon footprint. Stora Enso is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the FTSE4Good Index. Stora Enso employs some 27,000 people worldwide; its sales in 2009 totalled EUR 8.9 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY) in the International OTCQX over-the-counter market.