Coal has been a major energy source for decades. It powered cities, fueled industries, and kept homes warm. But times are changing.
Many countries are moving away from coal and embracing cleaner energy. Finland is taking a big step in that direction today.
The country’s last coal-fired power plant is shutting down for good, reports Digi24. The plant, located in Salmisaari, has provided electricity and heat for years.
Its closure marks the end of large-scale coal use in Finland. Renewable energy capacity has expanded rapidly.
This shift became even more certain after a government ban on coal, set to take effect in 2029.
Olli Sirkka, CEO of the utility company Helen, confirmed the decision. "We cannot say that coal will never be burned again in Finland.
Crisis situations may require different solutions. But this is the last coal-fired power plant used in daily production," he said.
Replacing the plant’s energy output is a challenge. The facility produced 175 MW of electricity and 300 MW of heat annually.
Helen will now rely on electricity, waste heat, and heat pumps. The company will also continue burning pellets and wood chips for now.
However, Sirkka stated that Helen plans to phase out all burning in the long run.
Helen is owned by the city of Helsinki. It is the last electricity provider in Finland to stop using coal.
The transition was delayed because clean energy sources were not sufficient to meet demand.
Helsinki’s district heating system alone can consume up to 20% of Finland’s electricity on cold days.
Sirkka acknowledged that the transition is expensive. "It is a value-based decision. We want to cut emissions and lower energy costs for customers," he explained.
Despite the costs, Finland has some of the cheapest electricity in Europe. Only Sweden and Norway have lower prices.
Helen expects thermal energy costs for customers to drop by 5.8% this year.
Shutting down the plant will have a major impact on emissions. Helen’s CO2 emissions will fall by 50% compared to last year.
Finland’s total emissions will decrease by almost 2%. The country continues to push forward with its clean energy goals.
