Helsinki plans to triple use of renewable energy
City's energy policy ironed out in multiparty talks
|
|
|
The City of Helsinki has decided not to limit itself to coal in its energy production in the future.
In negotiations held on Friday, the city's three largest parties, the National Coalition Party, the Social Democrats, and the Green League, decided that the city will seek to raise the proportion of renewable sources to 20 per cent of energy consumption by 2020.
Currently, the proportion of renewable sources in Helsinki's energy mix varies between six and ten per cent.
Detailed plans are to be drafted in various municipal departments, once the City Council has passed Helsinki's energy policy report, which is expected in late July. Practical measures could include increased use of biomass in power plants, and the burning of household waste. Greater use of wind energy and hydropower will also be examined.
Helsinki is also investigating how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent from the 1990 level by 2020.
"Increased use of nuclear energy is one option", says Risto Rautava, chairman of the conservative National Coalition Party's group on the City Council.
The agreement will be discussed by the City Board on Monday, and it will be brought before the City Council in about two weeks. The three largest parties together form a majority on both the City Council and the City Board.
Helsinki Energy has done well economically by burning coal and natural gas in its power plants.
After this, Helsinki's energy policy will be considerably better and more modern than before", said Otto Lehtipuu, head of the Green group on the City Council.
The parties also agreed to a Social Democratic initiative to assess the feasibility of establishing a wood pellet factory somewhere in Finland - either on the west coast, or in the lake district. From there, the pellets would be shipped to Helsinki for burning.
Five per cent of the energy currently produced by burning coal at the Hanasaari and Salmisaari power plants could come from pellets of compressed wood.
According to Helsinki's energy policy report, such a move would reduce Helsinki's carbon dioxide emissions by 1.8 per cent.
To achieve this, 1,300 lorry-loads of wood pellets would be needed - which is a fifth of Finland's present pellet production.
The manufacture of the pellets would be more feasible near the forests, and water transport facilities.
"All investments that reduce carbon dioxide emissions are welcome", said Kai Kalima, chairman of the Social Democratic group on the City Council.
Each tonne of carbon dioxide that is emitted into the atmosphere costs Helsinki about EUR 20 in emission rights. The use of wood pellets would reduce total emissions by 80,000 tonnes a year.
"It is certainly sensible from the point of view of carbon dioxide emissions, but not economically", says Matti Hilli, CEO of the bioenergy producer VAPO.
Helsingin Sanomat
|
| 14.1.2008 - TODAY |
 Helsinki plans to triple use of renewable energy |
|
