In Finland, Helsinki energy utility Helen Oy is investigating the possibility of building a bioenergy heating plant in the Patola district of Helsinki on a heating plant site currently used by Helen. The heating plant planned for Patola will require a revision of the town plan to enable construction of a second wood pellet-fired heat plant at the current site.
As previously announced, Helen is preparing to discontinue the use of coal use by 2029 in accordance with the Finnish government’s policy. Biomass is the fastest way to replace coal, and therefore the construction of new bioenergy heating plants in Helsinki is being investigated. The aim is to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy production in Helsinki and to increase the use of renewable energy.
The plant planned in Patola is a 120 MW bioheat plant using wood pellets as the main fuel. The planned heating plant would be located on a site used by Helen, next to an existing oil/natural gas-fired heating plant. The construction of a new heating plant requires a revision of the current town plan in the area of the heating plant. The purpose of use or the size of the site will not change in connection with the revision of the town plan.
