Use of coal in energy production has come to an end in Vantaa

The energy production of the circular economy energy company Vantaa Energy is now free of coal. The extra capacity of the extension to Vantaa Energy’s Waste-To-Energy plant for energy utilisation of domestic, non-recyclable energy waste has made it possible to phase out the use of coal in energy production. Phasing out of coal has been part of the Fossil-Free 2026 project entity. Vantaa Energy will then progress towards carbon negativity in 2030.

The circular economy energy company Vantaa Energy has produced district heat and electricity from non-recyclable energy waste from households in the Waste-To-Energy plant since 2014. Currently nearing completion, the extension to the Waste-To-Energy plant will bring extra capacity to the energy utilisation of domestic, non-recyclable energy waste and enable phasing out the use of coal in energy production. Energy waste from commerce and industry that is unsuitable for recycling is used as raw material for energy.

The commissioning of the extension of the Waste-To-Energy plant has now enabled coal-free energy production at Vantaa Energy. Filling the power plant bunker with domestic, non-recyclable energy waste from commerce and industry started in early May. The first waste fires were ignited last week.

Since phasing out the use of coal, Vantaa Energy’s carbon dioxide emissions from energy production have fallen by as much as 70 per cent. In addition, the commissioning of the extension of the Waste-To-Energy plant significantly reduces the company’s dependence on imported fuels. In addition to positive impacts on the environment, phasing out the use of fossil fuels will also affect the stability of the price of heat: energy use of waste, diverse utilisation of renewable energy sources, and withdrawing from changes in the prices of fossil fuels and emission allowances will enable a stable price of heat for the customers of Vantaa Energy also in the future.

Phasing out of coal has been part of the Fossil-Free 2026 project entity. The goal of Vantaa Energy is to phase out the use of fossil fuels in energy production by 2026 and then to progress towards carbon negativity by 2030.

The coal-fired boiler in the Martinlaakso power plant will remain ready for deployment until further notice in order to safeguard security of supply. The normal energy production use of the coal boiler has ended, but it is still available for use in any situations where there may be restrictions related to other energy sources. That way Vantaa Energy prepares to safeguard heat supplies to homes and properties in Vantaa also in potential exceptional situations.