Extension of Vantaa Energy’s waste-to-energy plant progressing on schedule

Works of the extension of Vantaa Energy’s waste-to-energy plant are progressing on schedule, currently proceeding from earthworks to constructing the buildings of the new plant. In future, waste from trade and industry in addition to mixed waste from households will be utilised in energy production in Vantaa. The extension project of the waste-to-energy plant is one of the enablers of fossil-free energy production by Vantaa Energy as early as in 2026. The extension of the waste-to-energy plant is scheduled for commissioning in autumn 2022.

Vantaa Energy is building an extension of the waste-to-energy plant because there is a clear need for a waste-to-energy plant that focuses on waste from the business sector. Currently, non-recyclable waste produced by trade and industry in the Helsinki region is exported while at the same time fossil fuels are purchased from overseas. The extension of the waste-to-energy plant will reduce the need to use these fossil fuels and is therefore an economically and environmentally significant investment. Another important reason to extend the plant is to safeguard favourably priced and competitive heat for the residents of the Vantaa region also in the future.

“ The extension of the waste-to-energy plant will safeguard competitive energy prices for our customers in the Vantaa region also in the future. In addition, the extension of the waste-to-energy plant will strengthen our key role in the cycle of sensible utilisation of materials when waste from trade and industry can be utilised in Finland in the future,” Production Director Kalle Patomeri sums up the benefits of the new plant.

Works are progressing from underground up to the higher levels

Works are progressing on schedule on the extension of the waste-to-energy plant, which got the go-ahead in March 2020: currently the earthworks are proceeding upwards to the construction of buildings of the new plant. The land of the worksite was turned over all through the summer with the ongoing earthworks, excavation and blasting works.

The most visible sign of the progress of construction work is the completion of the concrete work on the waste bunker at the waste-to-energy plant. Fuel of the plant, i.e. waste, arrives at the waste-to-energy plant via the waste bunker. This winter, e.g., the hopper level and roof structures, i.e. other important parts of the plant, will still be built in the waste bunker.

The next key construction stage is expected in March when the main equipment suppliers arrive on site to install the main equipment of the new waste-to-energy plant.

The coronavirus pandemic has not had an impact on the construction schedule at least for the time being. The first fire will be ignited at the new waste-to-energy boiler in summer 2022, and the extension of the waste-to-energy plant will be commissioned in autumn 2022.

Use of fossil fuels will end in the Vantaa region in 2026

Vantaa Energy is phasing out fossil fuels as early as in 2026. The extension project of the waste-to-energy plant currently under construction is one of the enablers of fossil-free energy production by Vantaa Energy.

In addition, the use of peat in energy production will be phased out by 2021. Waste processing services will be expanded to waste that requires higher processing temperatures than normal energy recovery in 2024. The seasonal energy storage facility will be commissioned in 2026, and finally the remaining natural gas will be replaced by biogas.

Further information

Kalle Patomeri
Production Director
Vantaa Energy Ltd
+ 358 50 529 4158
kalle.patomeri@vantaanenergia.fi