Helen to close the Vanhankaupunginkoski hydropower plant
Helen will close down the energy production use of the Vanhankaupunginkoski power plant museum. The museum power plant has no national significance in terms of energy production: however, the plant and especially the dam in the Vanhankaupunginkoski Rapids have harmful impacts on the ecosystem and migrating fish stocks in the river.
The Vanhankaupunginkoski power plant museum is part of the industrial heritage of Helsinki, as well as having cultural and recreational value. Hydropower has been produced only when the water level has been sufficient – for example, this year the plant has been in operation only for three days due to the low level of water. Helen has sold to its customers electricity produced by museum hydropower, which has been part of the Environmental Penny product. The number of these customers has been less than 200, and in future they will receive electricity produced by renewable wind power instead of museum hydropower.
Flexibility in the energy system
Hydropower is renewable energy and an important method in the mitigation of climate change. Hydropower enables an increase in low-emission renewable energy with variable production and provides necessary flexibility in the energy system. Flexibility is also achieved with energy storage facilities and demand response, but their significance in the market is still low. Adjustable hydropower will be an increasingly important part of a low-emission energy system in the future.
All energy production has environmental impacts. The most significant environmental impacts of hydropower are the effects on the aquatic ecosystem, especially the migrating fish stocks. The dismantling of obstacles to fish migration that are insignificant to energy production is a good way to promote biodiversity.
FACTS:
- The buildings of the power plant museum and the dam on the Vanhankaupunginkoski Rapids are owned by the City of Helsinki.
- The production output of the Vanhankaupunginkoski hydropower plant is 0.25 MW.
- Hydropower production at the plant will cease at the end of 2019.
- When the production ceases, the waterway and fire safety will be secured and the power supply will be disconnected from the power plant’s equipment.
