Helen
Patola air-to-water heat pump plant and two electric boilers
About the project
Helen is building an industrial-scale air-to-water heat pump plant and two 100 MW electric boilers at its Patola production site. Construction will begin at the end of this year, and according to the plan, the heat pump plant and electric boilers will be operational during the 2026–2027 heating season. The project will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 56,000 tons annually.
“Once completed, this heating plant complex will significantly reduce the carbon dioxide emissions caused by heating in Helsinki, bringing us closer to our carbon-neutrality goals. Additionally, the plant will help stabilize costs for customers, as its production can be easily adjusted. This project not only plays a crucial role in Helen’s production portfolio but also contributes to the broader societal benefit by increasing flexibility in the energy system,” says Juhani Aaltonen, responsible for Helen’s green transition projects.
A particularly interesting aspect of the Patola project is the air-to-water heat pump based on new technology, which is among the first of its kind in the world at this scale. The plant, utilizing outdoor air as its heat source, will have a district heating production capacity of 20–33 MW, depending on the outdoor temperature. Carbon dioxide is used as the refrigerant in the closed circuit of the heat pump. The advantage of this new technology is that the heat pump can operate at outdoor temperatures as low as -20°C.
Fimpec’s role in the project
Helen and Fimpec have signed an agreement for the project’s EPCM services. Under this agreement, Fimpec will be responsible for the engineering, procurement, and construction management of the heating production system.
As Mentioned
EPCM modell allows for flexible and transparent project management
“At Helen, we have a strong commitment to being a leader in our industry and driving the green transition forward to meet our ambitious carbon-neutrality and zero-combustion targets. To achieve this, we need skilled partners capable of providing comprehensive services with flexibility and diverse expertise. We believe the EPCM model offers the best opportunity for the successful execution of the Patola project, as it allows for flexible and transparent project management,” Juhani Aaltonen explains the decision to use the EPCM model.”
“We selected Fimpec for the project through a competitive bidding process, with the aim of finding the partner that best met our criteria and was most suited to this project. Critical factors in the decision were experience and expertise in managing large-scale projects,” he continues.
Sami Nissinen, Business Unit Director at Fimpec, emphasizes the high value of the project from Fimpec’s perspective. It is a significant clean energy project that also involves the use of cutting-edge technology.
“These are the types of projects we are interested in, and they align with our strategy to promote clean energy production. We can offer Helen our expertise in heat pumps and electric boilers, as well as our experience in executing pioneering projects. This also continues the long-standing and successful collaboration between Helen and Fimpec, which began 14 years ago.”
By Numbers
Heat pump plant capacity
20–33
MW, depending on the outdoor temperature
Electric boilers capacity
100
MW combined (à 50 MW)
Overall annual reduction of CO<sub>2</sub> emissions
56 000
tons per year
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