Bio-energy power plant in Lappeenranta connected to grid

The generator of the Kaukaan Voima bioenergy power plant was synchronised to the national grid for the first time on  9 October 2009. The test run of the biofuel-fired power plant constructed at UPM's Kaukas mill site in Lappeenranta began in late September - early October with the delivery of heat to UPM and Lappeenrannan Energia commencing in October. The power plant will be in commercial operation during November.

A joint project by Pohjolan Voima, Lappeenrannan Energia and UPM, the Kaukaan Voima bio-energy plant will, once completed, generate process steam and electricity to the UPM Kaukas mill, and district heat and electricity to Lappeenrannan Energia. The heat power of the plant is 385 MW and the electrical power 125 MW.

The new power plant will be fuelled by bark and forest energy, i. e. branches, toppings, stumps and wood from thinning, as well as peat. Approximately 80 per cent of the fuel need will be met with wood-based fuel. When completed, The Kaukaan Voima plant will be the largest consumer of bio-energy in Finland.

The new bio-energy plant is a continuation of Pohjolan Voima's bio-energy programme, which aims to increase the use of renewable energy by efficient use of regional bioenergy resources. The power plant is owned by Kaukaan Voima Oy, a subsidiary of Pohjolan Voima Oy.