Due to long repair shutdown and dry summer, only 295 MWh of museum hydropower was generated, while the preceding year’s production was 633 MWh. At the end of the year the number of ’environmental penny electricity’ customers was 4,154, a thousand more than in 2005. Most of them received wind power, while the number of those who had specifically chosen museum hydropower was 463.

Energy conservation work was rewarded

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has in collaboration with the energy sector created an agreement model spurring enterprises to act in accordance with the national energy and climate strategy. In autumn 2006, Helsingin Energia was already for a second time rewarded for all agreement spheres: district heating, transmission and distribution, and the power plant sector. Among the grounds for awarding the prize were, e.g., active implementation of the agreement both in relation to customers and in its own organisation. At Helsingin Energia, energy conservation agreements are part of the environmental management system. Utilisation of new technology was also emphasised, examples of which included versatile energy sources for district cooling and recovery of thermal energy from purified wastewater.

Implementation of energy efficiency is boosted

The EU Commission has prepared an Action Plan for Energy Efficiency, according to which all member states should by 2020 increase their energy efficiency by 20%. The goal is especially challenging to Finland, because here the easy measures have already been taken. The Action Plan will be implemented by means of various directives, concerning, e.g., energy efficiency of buildings, product planning, energy labels, as well as energy end-use efficiency and energy services.

A system corresponding to the energy labels of household appliances will also be established for housing in the form of energy certificates. Finland intends to reach the Energy Services Directive’s goal, a 9% energy cut by 2016, mainly by means of sector-specific energy conservation agreements.

Responsibility throughout the energy chain

Energy efficiency in production alone is not enough, it is also needed in consumption. The significance of indoor temperature, standby power consumption of electrical appliances, summer cooling or driving mileage may with respect to one family or workplace seem small, but they determine the quantity of kilowatts required for the entire energy chain and, as a result, the quantity of emissions affecting the climate.

The quantity and quality of energy saving services directed at customers were one of the criteria for the national recognition that Helsingin Energia received in 2006. The Energy Centre, which specialises in advice on home appliances and sensible use of energy, has been serving customers for more than 30 years. Among the most popular services is lending of power consumption meters.

Good energy use reporting services are important as they enable customers to monitor their energy consumption and direct energy saving measures correctly. In connection with the annual report on power and heat consumption, the customers receive information on both their own energy consumption and on that of the reference group. Consumption data can also be retrieved through an online service on the Internet.

Comprehensive energy advice

Helsingin Energia campaigns with its partners during the national Energy Awareness Week and disseminates information on energy saving by handing out leaflets and giving personal advice. The mobile Energy Saving Market attracted a record number of visitors.

Schoolchildren are an important target group for advice on sensible use of energy. Each year, Helsingin Energia distributes an electricity ABC to children in the first grade in Helsinki comprehensive schools, and a copy of the magazine “Energy in Uusimaa” to pupils in the 8th grade. Teachers can order an educational package on energy for children in the 2nd grade.

Helsingin Energia donated energy bonuses to the Aurora and Viikki schools for projects promoting energy conservation and sustainable development.
Along with energy saving advice directed at customers, Helsingin Energia also invests in promoting the environmental and energy-saving awareness of its own employees. One indicator of more energy-efficient office work is reduced consumption of copying paper.