Media release 15.11.2018: Elenia Lämpö to invest approximately EUR 30 million in the production of district heating in Hämeenlinna

Elenia Lämpö has made the decision to invest in the renewal of the Vanaja power plant in Hämeenlinna and an important part of the investment is the purchase of a new biofuel-fired boiler. The goal is for the new boiler to be operational in 2020. As a result, the share of renewable fuels in Elenia Lämpö’s production of district heating in Hämeenlinna will be clearly over 80%.  The boiler will be delivered by Valmet Technologies, Inc.

As its main fuel, the so-called fluidised bed boiler purchased for the Vanaja power plant uses wood-based fuels such as forest thinning residue and wood product industry by-products (e.g. sawdust and bark). After the investment, the share of renewable fuels in the production of district heating in Hämeenlinna will be clearly over 80% and the share of renewable fuels in the entire Elenia Lämpö will increase to 85%. This is significantly higher than the Finnish average (36%).

The boiler will also increase the energy efficiency of heat production. The boiler has a 35 MW heat output and is very efficient. Furthermore, the boiler’s flue gas condenser increases heat output by an additional 10 MW.

The goal is for the new biofuel boiler to be operational in 2020. It will replace the boiler that was built in the early 1950s and that has now reached the end of its useful life. The old boilers will be dismantled to make room for the new boiler and the installation of the new boiler will begin in autumn 2019. The boiler will be delivered by Valmet Technologies, Inc. Next year, the Vanaja power plant will be 80 years old. Despite its age, the plant features modern technology within its walls.

“With this significant investment, we are implementing our company’s strategy of investing in eco-friendly energy solutions and energy efficiency. The investment also further increases the share of renewable fuels in our operations. In this respect, we are clearly one of the forerunners in Finland. The project will create jobs in our region, both during construction and in future fuel deliveries. Fuels are sourced as close to the power plant as possible,” says Elenia Lämpö’s CEO Matti Tynjälä, commenting on the investment.

“This is a repeat order for the same power plant, which is an indication of Elenia Lämpö’s trust in Valmet’s biomass-fuelled HYPEX-boiler technology in heat production,” notes Frank Ligthart, Head of Heat and Power Plants at Valmet.

More information:
Elenia Lämpö Oy, CEO Matti Tynjälä, tel. +358 40 779 6258
Elenia Lämpö Oy, Head of Technics Anne Piispanen, tel. +358 40 720 8065