Kaukaan Voima's biomass power plant now in full operation

The production trial run of Kaukaan Voima's new biomass power plant is now over and the plant has moved to normal operation.

Since October last year, the plant has supplied district heating to the network of the city-owned power company Lappeenrannan Energia and process steam to the Kaukas mill complex, and electricity for both. "The project lasted for nearly three years. It reached its completion a few weeks ahead of the original schedule and well under the 244 million euro budget" says project director Erkki Repo with pride.

The exceptionally cold winter has made it possible to test the plant at maximum capacity. The remaining works to be carried out during the spring include warranty tests, document reception and punch list works.

Kaukaan Voima's power plant, co-owned by Pohjolan Voima Oy and Lappeenrannan Energia Oy, is the second biggest biomass power plant in Finland.

The plant burns bark and forest biomass such as stumps, branches and tops, and peat. The boiler's thermal power is 385 MW and electrical power 125 MW.

At its peak time, there were over 500 people working at the project site. The project organisation has now been dismantled and people relocated.

The inauguration ceremonies of the plant take place in May 2010.

For more information, please contact:

Jukka Kiuru, Power Plant Manager, Kaukaan Voima Oy, tel. +358 50 313 3225