The shareholders Oy Alholmens Kraft Ab, a Pohjolan Voima associated company and an energy company based in Pietarsaari, have today decided to discontinue the current operation of the AK2 power plant unit after the end of the 2026–2027 heating season. Following the change negotiations held at the company, Alholmens Kraft has decided to implement an organisational change and reduce its workforce by up to 16 employees. The AK2 power plant unit is planned to continue operating as normal during the 2026–2027 heating season.
“The decisions are driven by AK2’s weak profitability, the need to improve profitability and production flexibility, and the need to adapt operations to the changes in the operation and maintenance of the power plant resulting from the two electric boilers that are due to be completed in spring 2027,” says Björn Åkerlund, Managing Director of Oy Alholmens Kraft Ab.
AK2’s profitability has weakened as a result of structural changes in the market, while the ageing plant would require significant investment in the future. The electric boilers will also reduce dependence on heat produced by the plant unit.
The change negotiations, which concluded at the end of September, concerned the entire workforce. As a result of the discontinuation of AK2’s current operation, the amount of work available at the company will decrease substantially, and the employment contracts of up to 16 employees will be terminated. The company will implement an organisational change that will take effect after the heating season, on 1 May 2027.
Further information:
Björn Åkerlund, Managing Director, Oy Alholmens Kraft Ab
bjorn.akerlund@akraft.fi
Tel. +358 40 779 8503
Alholmens Kraft produces process steam for UPM’s mills in Pietarsaari, district heat for the Pietarsaari area, and electricity. The company’s combined heat and power plant comprises two plant units, Alholmens Kraft 1 (AK1) and Alholmens Kraft 2 (AK2). The biopower plant’s main fuel is bark and other forest industry by-products, and solid recovered fuel (SRF) is also used. Completed in 2001, AK2 has an electrical output of 240 MW and a thermal output of 160 MW, while the smaller AK1 has an electrical output of 25 MW and a thermal output of 85 MW. Two 60 MW electric boilers are currently under construction at the power plant and are scheduled for completion in spring 2027.