Warm year reduced energy consumption
In 2013, total electricity consumption in Helsinki totalled 4,540 GWh, which is over two per cent less than in 2012.
In the distribution area of Helen Sähköverkko, electricity consumption was at its highest on Friday afternoon on 18 January 2013 when 799 MWh of electricity was consumed in just one hour.
The security of electricity supply in Helsinki was at a very high level in 2013. In practice, the network area’s electricity distribution network is completely cabled and is therefore weatherproof. The average outage time for customers was only three minutes, which is about a quarter of the ten-year average.
District cooling production grew significantly
At 7,250 GWh, Helsingin Energia’s total electricity procurement in 2013 remained at the previous year’s level. A total of 68 per cent of electricity was produced as combined heat and power generation at power plants in the Helsinki region. During the year, the share of emission-free production forms in Helsingin Energia’s total electricity procurement increased with the hydropower capacity purchased from Sweden. In 2013, hydropower accounted for over nine per cent, 660 GWh, of Helsingin Energia’s total electricity procurement.
The amount of district heat production fell as a result of the warmer than average temperatures during the year. In 2013, production amounted to approximately 7,000 GWh, five per cent down on the previous year. A total of 87 per cent of district heat was produced in combined heat and power generation at the Hanasaari, Salmisaari and Vuosaari power plants.
The production of district cooling, which utilises sea water, the heat content of waste water and the heat of combined heat and power generation, continued to grow in 2013. District cooling production amounted to 116 GWh, 34 per cent more than the year before.
Lower carbon dioxide emissions in Helsinki
Carbon dioxide emissions from energy production in Helsinki fell by about 3% to approximately 3.3 million tonnes. Carbon dioxide emissions from power assets outside the Helsinki region and purchased electricity totalled approximately 0.1 million tonnes. This corresponds to the average personal carbon footprint of approximately 340,000 people in Finland. The biofuel tests carried out at the Hanasaari B power plant did not yet have an effect on the emission levels.
In this millennium, carbon dioxide emission levels have varied, e.g. according to the Nordic hydropower situation and the weather conditions, but the trend has been falling steadily since the last decade. In the reference year of 1990, the carbon dioxide emissions from energy production in the Helsinki region totalled some 3.4 million tonnes. However, energy production is now over 50% higher than 20 years ago, i.e. specific carbon dioxide emissions have fallen. In the reference year of 1990, the specific emissions of carbon dioxide were 400 gCO2/kWh while in 2013 they were about 250 gCO2/kWh.
The above figures are based on preliminary calculations. More detailed information about Helsingin Energia’s operations will be published in February in connection with the financial statements for 2013.