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Helsinki takes a leap towards carbon neutrality by closing Hanasaari plant
Helsinki is closing the Hanasaari power plant on 1 April as part of its transition away from fossil fuels.
City authorities headed by Mayor of Helsinki Juhana Vartiainen pointed out that the move will lower Helsinki’s greenhouse gas emissions roughly 20%.
The Hanasaari cogeneration plant generates electricity as well as provides heating, which is Helsinki’s main source of direct emissions.
According to estimates, the closing of the plant will lower emissions of its operator, HELEN energy company, by approximately 40%. The move will lower Finland’s greenhouse gas emissions about 2%.
Vartiainen expressed belief that “the closing of Hanasaari is a historic and significant change both on the scale of Helsinki, Finland and, in fact, the whole world.”
He pointed out that cities are taking a strong position on environmental issues and putting pressure on national authorities, stressing that “Helsinki wants to be a strong trendsetter both nationally and globally.”
City authorities noted that HELEN’s Vuosaari plant will largely take over district heating when the Hanasaari plant closes and reiterated that the move will help the city on its path to reaching carbon neutrality by 2030.
Helsinki concluded that it needs to implement significant emission reduction measures to achieve environmental targets and reaffirmed its commitment to the green push.
(Photo credit: Helen / Helsinki)
