Pohjolan Voima's Kristiina 1 refit project would increase bioenergy use in Kristiinankaupunki

Pohjolan Voima is planning the construction of a new power plant boiler at the Kristiina power plant area in Kristiinankaupunki; the goal will be to increase the utilisation of bioenergy. Replacing the KRS 1 unit's oil-fired boiler currently operating in a standby capacity, the new multi-fuel boiler plant would be connected to the existing 210 MW steam turbine that will be modernised. As planned, the new, approximately 230 MW, KRS 1 unit would be commissioned in 2013. The project's cost estimate is EUR 200 million.

The construction project would significantly increase the utilisation of domestic and locally available bioenergy sources at the Kristiina power station. As planned, the versatile power plant boiler would be able to exploit fuels such as wood and field biomass, peat and coal. The objective will be to maximise the use of domestic fuels.

Investments are being made to find solutions that will enable Pohjolan Voima to increase the efficiency of currently under-utilised plants while at the same time safeguarding the future of the Kristiina power station. Besides the power plant boiler, the intent will be to build conveyors, as well as a new processing area for peat and biofuels.

The new power plant unit would have a significant local employment effect with respect to the harvesting and transport of fuel. The project would also stimulate additional employment for the local area's companies and service providers during the construction period.

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures for the new power plant project will be initialised in the late winter of 2008; the project report will be completed in late 2008. As planned, the new power plant would be commissioned in 2013.

The Kristiina 1 project is the continuation of Pohjolan Voima's previous substantial investments in new power plant capacity whose purpose is to serve Finland's growing electricity needs and replace outdated facilities.