Thermal power

Pohjolan Voima’s total electricity generation capacity in thermal power production is 2,061 MW. In addition to electricity, combined heat and power production plants produce district heat and process steam for consumption by local industry and communities.

Thermal power production was up

The total electricity generation in thermal power plants was 7.4 TWh, exceeding the 2009 figure by 40 per cent. Combined heat and power production plants generated 3.5 TWh of electricity. This is almost one third more than in the previous year. The reasons for this were the cold weather, the recovery in industrial production and the production capacity that increased with the inauguration of the power plants by Kaukaan Voima and in Kerava.

Pohjolan Voima’s heat production hit a new record. Total heat production in 2010 was 6.3 TWh, which is 24 per cent more than in 2009.

The total volume of electricity produced in condensing power plants increased to 3.8 TWh in 2010. The volume was up by almost 60 per cent compared to the previous year. The condensing power production increased due to prolonged annual maintenance at Swedish power plants and poor water conditions in the Nordic countries.

The entire capital stock of Vieskan Voima Oy was sold, and the Ylivieska power plant was transferred to Perhonjoki Oy in October. The Nokia thermal power plant was sold to Fortum Power and Heat Oy early in 2010.

The fuel consumption at thermal power plants was also on the increase compared to the previous year. In 2010, thermal power plants consumed:

  • 12.2 TWh of coal
  • 7.1 TWh of biofuels
  • 3.8 TWh of peat
  • 0.4 TWh of refuse-derived fuels (REF) and
  • 0.2 TWh of oil.

Reserve power plants

Oil-fired condensing power plants in Kristiinankaupunki and Vaasa and the Mussalo gas-fired condensing power plant in Kotka will continue to belong to the national power reserve system coordinated by Fingrid until 28 February 2011. The combined capacity of the three plants is 600 MW. On 8 January 2010, the power reserve was activated for a few peak hours.