Emissions

Carbon dioxide emissions decreased

During the operating year, the carbon dioxide emissions of energy production were 3.3 million tonnes and the specific emissions 250 g CO₂/kWh. The emissions in Helsinki decreased by, approximately, 5%, compared to the previous year, thanks to the decreased fuel consumption.

Specific carbon dioxide emissions

ktC0₂

During the year’s 1990 international comparison, the carbon dioxide emissions in the Helsinki region were 3.4 million tonnes and the specific emissions 400 g CO2/kWh.

Decrease of acidifying emissions

The emission restrictions of acidifying emissions and particulate emissions will become stricter due to the EU legislation in 2016. We have been preparing for this by renewing the technology in our power and heating plants. The decrease in the amount of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides was thanks to our long-term work.

Increase of particulate emissions

The particulate emissions increased slightly, but remained below the emission limits. Impacts on air quality are the lowest for decades

Impacts on air quality are the lowest for decades

Based on the measurements of the Vallila station, the annual average of sulphur dioxide content, which depicts the impact of energy production on the air quality in Helsinki, was the lowest for decades or even for a hundred years. In 1990, this measurement was ten times as great.

Before the era of district heating, the annual averages of sulphur oxides content in the Helsinki inner city ranged from 50 to 100 µg/m3. Currently, the content limit of air quality is 20 µg/m3.

Sulphur dioxide of the Vallila station

annual average

No excess heat is released into the sea water

Thanks to the high, about 90% efficiency ratio, the heat load we have impacted on sea water is quite low. In 2013, 250 GWh of heat, approximately 1.9% of all used fuel energy, was released into the sea. About one third of the surplus heat released into the sea occurred due to the district cooling. The load has ranged between 180 and 2,200 GWh during the 21st century.

Fly ash into concrete

The utilisation of fly ash in the production of concrete was continued and 58% of the ash was used. The remainder of the fly ash was used for filling mine caves, mixed with the flue gas desulphurization end product. Bottom ash was mainly delivered to the intermediate storage at Vuosaari to await utilisation as landfill material.

By-products

Fly ash

Bottom ash