More renewable energy from the Klåsarö hydropower plant

The Klåsarö hydropower plant is located on the River Kymijoki, upriver from the Ahvenkoski hydropower plant. The output of the hydroelectric power plant is 2 x 2.3 MW and annual energy 32,000 MWh. The plant was commissioned in 1983. The plant’s turbines are the original ones, and they have now reached the refurbishment stage.

The owner of the Klåsarö hydropower plant is Oy Mankala Ab, which is a subsidiary of Helen Ltd.

Increased energy efficiency

In the refurbishment and energy efficiency investment, the runner wheels of both turbines will be replaced and the control hydraulics will be modified. The estimated lifespan of the modernised machinery is 40 years.

“With the upgrade, we will be able to increase the amount of renewable energy of the plant by 17.5 per cent from the current level. The project installation work is due to be implemented during summer 2019 and 2020,” says Helen’s Hydro Power Manager Jari Kottonen.

“Hydropower is a good source of renewable energy and also an excellent partner to wind and solar power, which will see a significant increase in the next few years. The high controllability and flexibility of hydro power will play an even more important part in the energy system in the future,” says Director Maiju Westergren of Helen.

Helen acquires hydropower from the Rivers Kemijoki and Kymijoki and from the River Indalsälven in Sweden. The hydropower plants on the River Kymijoki are located in Ahvenkoski, Mankala, Klåsarö and Ediskoski. The hydropower plants on the River Kymijoki were built in 1930–1990. Their total output is 60 MW.

Facts:

• Modernisation of the Klåsarö hydropower plant
• Location: On the River Kymijoki upriver from the Ahvenkoski hydropower plant
• Output: 2 x 2.3 MW and annual energy 32,000 MWh
• Commissioned in: 1983
• The runner wheels of both turbines will be replaced in full.
• The lifespan of the modernised machinery: 40 years
• Installation work: summer 2019 and 2020