(Adds details, comments) HELSINKI, June 22 (Reuters) - Finland...

(Adds details, comments)

HELSINKI, June 22 (Reuters) - Finland will expand the role of its national gas grid operator Gasgrid in order to build a hydrogen transmission network, Finance Minister Annika Saarikko said on Wednesday.

Gasgrid Finland has so far handled natural gas of mostly Russian origin which Finland has decided to stop using as a result of Russia's war in Ukraine.

"In future, the company's strategic interest will include developing the transmission of hydrogen and its gaseous derivatives and hydrogen transmission infrastructure as well as safeguarding their smooth and disruption-free operation," the Finnish government said in a statement.

Saarikko said it would take years to complete the network but the government wanted to ensure from the beginning that the it would be under national control in order to ensure security of supply.

"Gases will enable a carbon neutral future and we will offer a platform for it," Gasgrid Finland's Chief Executive Olli Sipila said.