Foundation Stone Laid for Europe's Largest Electric Boiler Plant in Helen's Hanasaari Energy Block
The electric boiler plant being built in Helen's Hanasaari, which will be the largest in Europe, reached its first significant milestone when its foundation stone was laid on Friday, September 26. The foundation stone was laid by the Mayor of Helsinki, Daniel Sazonov, together with Helen's CEO, Olli Sirkka, and project personnel. The electric boiler plant is scheduled to be completed during the 2026–2027 heating season and will be able to meet the heating needs of even two residential areas the size of Lauttasaari.
Since Helen completely abandoned the use of coal last spring, the company's greenhouse gas emissions have dropped by about 50 percent. Electric boilers play an even greater role in the company's district heating production as its energy production continues to become cleaner.
"We have already replaced our decommissioned coal power plants with new production, but our ambitious emission targets, together with improving the competitiveness of district heating, guide us to raise the bar even higher. Our electric boiler plant, the largest in Europe, is a significant demonstration of our commitment to the Helsinki residents' desire for non-combustion and even cleaner energy production," says Helen's CEO, Olli Sirkka.
The advantage of electric boilers is that they adjust quickly according to the current need, bringing the desired flexibility to the electricity market.
"Electric boilers are a flexible and efficient measure to stabilize electricity price fluctuations, and they guide us to raise the bar even higher," says Sirkka.
The electric boiler plant now being built is rising next to the Hanasaari coal power plant, which ended its production in 2023. Helen finally abandoned the use of coal last spring, which meant an annual reduction of about 30 percent in the city's emissions.
"The construction of Helen's new electric boiler is a big deal for the city of Helsinki. The emission reductions in the district heating network and electricity production are a necessary condition for Helsinki to achieve its ambitious climate goals. The transition to clean energy has proven to be not only wise climate policy but also economically and security-wise beneficial," says the Mayor of Helsinki, Daniel Sazonov.
In addition to electric boilers, Helen is investing in district heating production, including waste heat recovery, industrial-scale heat pumps, and heat storage. Helen is also exploring the construction of small nuclear power plants in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The company's goal is non-combustion energy production by 2040.
The planning and implementation of the project are being carried out by a consortium formed by Helen's partners, A-Insinöörit and Elomatic.
Hanasaaren Energiakortteliin rakentuvan Euroopan suurimman sähkökattilalaitoksen havainnekuva lounaan suunnasta.