17.06.2009
Pohjolan Voima wants to replace fossil fuels with biofuels and peat in Kristiinankaupunki
Pohjolan Voima is planning a wide-scale replacement of fossil fuels with domestic fuels – mainly biofuels and peat – in Kristiinankaupunki. The change in the fuel base can be carried out by means of co-firing in the existing boiler or by replacing the oil-fired boiler – currently used to provide reserve power – with a multi-fuel boiler. The environmental impact assessment report concerning the multi-fuel boiler has been brought to completion and forwarded to the coordinating authority, the West Finland Regional Environment Centre.
The new power plant boiler would replace the oil-fired boiler plant at the Kristiina power plant located in Karhusaari, and its current turbine plant would be renovated and connected to the new boiler plant. In addition to the boiler plant, fuel reception, handling systems and storages would also be constructed on the site. The new boiler plant would burn peat, wood and agrobiomass, coal and possibly also refuse-derived fuels.
The purpose of the boiler investment is to make more efficient use of the currently underutilised power plant and, at the same, ensure the future of the Kristiina power plant. The thermal input of the boiler plant would be around 590 MW, while the plant’s electricity generation capacity would be some 260 MW.
According to the survey carried out as part of the environmental impact assessment procedure, most residents in the Suupohja coast region support the construction of the new plant, with some 83 per cent taking a positive stance towards the project. Seven per cent took a negative stance, while ten per cent did not take a position on the matter. The impact of atmospheric and aquatic releases and noise were regarded as the most detrimental of the effects arising from the project. A total of 735 local residents responded to the survey carried out by Ramboll Oy.
Another option in Kristiinankaupunki would be to construct a system based on gasification at the existing coal-fired boiler to enable the co-firing of biofuel and peat together with coal. The thermal input of the gasification option would amount to 2 x 130 MW. This option could reduce the use of coal at the plant by a maximum of 30 to 40 per cent annually.
The advantages of the gasification option include its quick and inexpensive implementation. The availability of fuel is also better secured when the investments are carried out in stages. The implementation in stages is also supported by the fact that the utilisation of biofuels and peat entails the construction of production, refinement and logistics services in the area. Taken as a whole, the domestic fuel production chain has a significant employment effect in the locality.
An environmental permit allowing for the implementation of both options will be applied for the Kristiina power plant after the coordinating authority has issued its statement on the EIA report that is currently at the public announcement stage.
Further information:
Petri Hurri, Production Director, Pohjolan Voima, tel. +358 50 3133 231
Jussi Hintikka, Executive Vice President, Pohjolan Voima, tel. +358 50 3133 503
Jari Niemelä, Executive Vice President, Pohjolan Voima, tel. +358 50 3133 416
The new power plant boiler would replace the oil-fired boiler plant at the Kristiina power plant located in Karhusaari, and its current turbine plant would be renovated and connected to the new boiler plant. In addition to the boiler plant, fuel reception, handling systems and storages would also be constructed on the site. The new boiler plant would burn peat, wood and agrobiomass, coal and possibly also refuse-derived fuels.
The purpose of the boiler investment is to make more efficient use of the currently underutilised power plant and, at the same, ensure the future of the Kristiina power plant. The thermal input of the boiler plant would be around 590 MW, while the plant’s electricity generation capacity would be some 260 MW.
According to the survey carried out as part of the environmental impact assessment procedure, most residents in the Suupohja coast region support the construction of the new plant, with some 83 per cent taking a positive stance towards the project. Seven per cent took a negative stance, while ten per cent did not take a position on the matter. The impact of atmospheric and aquatic releases and noise were regarded as the most detrimental of the effects arising from the project. A total of 735 local residents responded to the survey carried out by Ramboll Oy.
Another option in Kristiinankaupunki would be to construct a system based on gasification at the existing coal-fired boiler to enable the co-firing of biofuel and peat together with coal. The thermal input of the gasification option would amount to 2 x 130 MW. This option could reduce the use of coal at the plant by a maximum of 30 to 40 per cent annually.
The advantages of the gasification option include its quick and inexpensive implementation. The availability of fuel is also better secured when the investments are carried out in stages. The implementation in stages is also supported by the fact that the utilisation of biofuels and peat entails the construction of production, refinement and logistics services in the area. Taken as a whole, the domestic fuel production chain has a significant employment effect in the locality.
An environmental permit allowing for the implementation of both options will be applied for the Kristiina power plant after the coordinating authority has issued its statement on the EIA report that is currently at the public announcement stage.
Further information:
Petri Hurri, Production Director, Pohjolan Voima, tel. +358 50 3133 231
Jussi Hintikka, Executive Vice President, Pohjolan Voima, tel. +358 50 3133 503
Jari Niemelä, Executive Vice President, Pohjolan Voima, tel. +358 50 3133 416