Finnish energy company Helen Ltd. has announced the closure of its last coal-fired thermal power plant. The Salmisaari thermal power plant in Helsinki finally ceased operation on April 1.
According to the company, the closure of the Salmisaari thermal power plant effectively marks the end of the coal era and increases the self-sufficiency of Finnish energy production. It is expected that with the cessation of the use of coal for thermal power generation, Helen's annual carbon dioxide emissions will decrease by 50%, and for Helsinki - by about 30%.Thus, the total emissions in Finland will decrease by almost 2%.
To replace the annual production of 175 MW of electricity and 300 MW of heat at the Salmisaari TPP, Helen plans to use electric boilers and heat pumps, and will also continue to burn fuel pellets and wood chips.The Salmisaari TPP is one of the largest and oldest in Helsinki. Its main unit was put into operation back in 1984. The modernization process of the plant began in 2015. Initially completely coal-fired, the plant gradually switched to wood pellets - biofuel from peat, wood and agricultural waste. The share of biofuels at Salmisaari was increased to 7% in 2015.In March 2025, Helen completed the trial operation of the new pellet complex at Salmisaari and put it into commercial operation. The company is also conducting trial operations of new electric boilers, the commercial use of which is planned for the current heating season.The total thermal capacity of the two electric boilers is 100 MW, and the pellet burning plants are 153 MW.Finland will maintain reserve coal capacity to ensure security of supply, which can be used when needed. In addition, some energy companies use small amounts of coal in energy production for the purpose of covering peak loads, reserve and ensuring security of supply. According to Finnish law, the use of coal in the production of thermal power will be prohibited from May 1, 2029.
Source: https://biz.liga.net/ua/all/tek/novosti/finliandiia-vidmovylasia-vid-vuhillia-u-vyrobnytstvi-elektroenerhii-zakryla-ostanniu-tes
