Valmet to undertake coal-to-biomass boiler conversion for Finnish plant

Valmet has announced it will convert Helen Ltd's coal-fired district heat boiler to bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) combustion to enable wood pellet firing at the Salmisaari ‘A’ power plant in Helsinki, Finland.
The conversion promotes the company’s goal of phasing out coal and at the same time strengthens the construction of a sustainable energy system.
The order is included in Valmet’s orders received during the second quarter of 2023. The converted boiler will be handed over to the customer in January 2025.
“Our goal is carbon-neutral energy production in 2030. Sustainable bioenergy is part of the overall solution to achieve our goal. The versatile production structure ensures reliability of heat supply even in freezing weather. This project is an important step for us on the way to carbon neutrality. We trust Valmet’s abilities to complete this demanding project on time,” said Juhani Aaltonen, who is  responsible for Helen’s sustainable energy solutions.
“Converting an existing coal-fired boiler to biofuel combustion is a quick and cost-effective way to transition from fossil to renewable fuels. Valmet has decades of experience of successful boiler conversions,” added Niina Ollikka, director, Energy Business Unit, Rebuilds and Conversions, Valmet.
The project is a continuation of positive collaboration between Helen and Valmet. In 2018, Valmet started-up a 92 MWth pellet-fired heating plant at the Salmisaari power plant area, and during this year the heat recovery plant belonging to the Vuosaari bioheating plant will be completed.