Helen’s Board investigates phasing out coal production in the Salmisaari power plant five years ahead of schedule
Helen’s Board of Directors has decided to launch an investigation on the possibility of bringing forward the phasing out of coal in energy production at the Salmisaari power plant by 1 April 2024 instead of the previous 2029. Therefore, Helen would completely give up the use of coal five years earlier than anticipated. A decision was also made to close down the Hanasaari power plant and cease production ahead of the original schedule, i.e. on 1 April 2023.
Helen has been building a carbon-neutral energy platform for years. Examples of this include, e.g. waste heat recovery, heat storage facilities, heating and cooling plants in use since 2006 and built after that, as well as the Vuosaari bioenergy heating plant under construction and the sea water heat pump. The potential early phasing out of coal in Salmisaari would accelerate Helen’s transition to a distributed city energy system, which would boost the utilisation of the possibilities of a new energy era by Helen and customers alike.
Focusing on the transition to a distributed energy system and the building of an extensive energy platform with an even higher emphasis according to the study now launched will result in pressure to make changes in the organisation. As a result of the study on bringing the schedule forward, Helen will launch cooperation negotiations with respect to just over 400 employees in the Production and Asset Management business unit. According to the employer’s preliminary estimate, the number of employees in the Production and Asset Management business unit may be reduced by a maximum of 320 people due to the adjustment measures.
Helen will report on the plans for the Salmisaari power plant after Helen’s Board of Directors has made its decision in December‒January.