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Helsinki Energy’s environmental strategy and environmental
goals |
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Sustainable development, identification of environmental
effects and open interaction with all interest groups are the
cornerstones of Helsinki Energy’s environmental strategy.
Ecological, economic and social responsibility is associated
with sustainable development. We produce and supply
electricity and heat efficiently, we encourage our customers
to engage in sensible energy use, and we are involved in the
national climate strategy.
In the case of environmental effects, we seek to identify
better the significant effects of our activity and to actively
reduce the environmental damage ensuing from these.
We are increasing open interaction in environmental activity
in relation to external interest groups and our own personnel
alike. As one of the biggest energy companies in Finland,
Helsinki Energy is also actively involved in formulating rules
for the energy industry. |
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Climate plays main role, air
pollution control must not be forgotten
At Helsinki Energy, the various factors of
corporate social responsibility tie in with everyday activity.
The viewpoints and boundary terms of the three pillars of
sustainable development: finance, the environment and social
relationships are associated in the company’s strategy, goals of
the businesses and in the work of employees in different tasks.
The EU emissions trading scheme entered into
force on 1 January 2005. Emissions are reduced wherever it is
most cost-effective. Fair sharing of burdens is complicated. In
the year under review, preparing for it has had a marked impact
on job creation both for state civil servants and companies. At
Helsinki Energy, over ten people have been elaborating the
subject for two years now. A responsible approach ensured that
licence applications kept to schedule, and the final result was
according to the foreseen frugality.
Energy consumption and generation account for a
high proportion of urban carbon dioxide emissions. During the
financial year, Helsinki Energy was actively involved in
preparing Helsinki’s ecological sustainability programme and
Helsinki Metropolitan Area’s climate strategy. All parties must
contribute to measures to reduce consumption. Sensible use of
energy is in the interests of customers, producers and society
alike. Climate conservation was covered in the customer
magazine and in seminars for our own personnel and
decision-makers.
Varied forms of production
The reliability of energy supply in Finland is
based on several forms of production including fossil fuels,
renewable wood, hydroelectric and wind power, as well as nuclear
power. In the case of electricity, Helsinki Energy has
consciously increased emission-free production, the latest
venture being a share in the Raahe Wind Park completed by Suomen
Hyötytuuli in the summer of 2004. Highly eco-efficient district
cooling continues to expand in centrally located commercial
properties. In the course of the year, the company responded to
initiatives on renewable energy and continued with its own
studies.
For some time to come, heating will evidently
resort to combustion technologies, each of which also has
side-effects as regards the air or climate. One gauge of the
efficiency of Helsinki Energy’s diverse production is the
specific emission of carbon dioxide from energy as a whole,
which in the year under review was 300 g CO2/kWh. In the Kyoto
year of reference, 1990, it was 400.
Energy production plants and networks have been
built relying on the wisdom and prerequisites of their own time.
Investments have long time-spans. The high efficiency of
combined heat and power production is still a model for the
world. The carbon dioxide emissions from natural gas are 40%
lower than from coal. Coal combustion is also an acceptable way
of generating energy as regards environmental and health effects
on the condition that the efficiency of combustion is as high as
possible and the flue gases are purified precisely.
The technical difficulties with the purification
of the flue gases from the coal-fired Hanasaari Power Plant,
which began in the autumn of 2003, continued throughout the
heating period. Sulphur dioxide emissions did not rise
disconcertingly, but dust emissions rose clearly. In a more
effective observation, emission data were compared to content
measurements. Air quality reports did not show any overstepping
of guideline values. Electric and textile filters were improved
successfully.
The cityscape as part of environmental
activity
A fourth pillar, of culture, can also be added
to the three pillars of sustainable development. The landscape
pylons in the sea near the Töölö district, referred to as
Antti’s Footsteps, which were inaugurated at the beginning of
the year, have successfully combined everyday aesthetics and
technical structures.
The theme of the cityscape continued throughout
the year. The green LED light columns at the Hanasaari coal
store have delighted neighbours and people using the coastal
road. The problem with the visibility and untidiness of the link
boxes, which the company has been aware of for some time, was
considered jointly with the University of Art and Design
Helsinki in the international Passing Energy project. Five
suggestions by students for redesigning the link boxes were
chosen for further development. In the autumn, a painting course
from the University of Art and Design Helsinki worked at the
Vanhankaupunginkoski Museum Hydro Power Plant. Young artists
examined the space and light, and in that respect the old
industrial interior proved to be functional. An exhibition of
tempera paintings was held in Helsinki Energy’s Main Building in
the Kamppi area in Helsinki.
Installation "Contre jour" by the Hanasaari
coal store was designed by architect Sakari Tilanterä.
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