HELSINKI,
April 12, 2011
(Press Release) -
UPM will refurbish the Voikkaa hydropower plant located on the Kymi River in south east Finland. The refurbishment work will start up late 2011, and will take about two years.
Discussing the refurbishment, Mr Pekka Pollari, Hydropower Manager for UPM said: "We will renovate one generation unit, turbine and electrical system. In addition, we will renew all the control and automation systems."
Located next to the Voikkaa business area the renovated hydropower plant will be ready by the end of 2013. UPM will use several million euros for upgrading the plant, some of which is more than 50 years old. As a result of the refurbishment, the power plant will produce more renewable electricity from the same amount of water.
The refurbishment of Voikkaa hydropower plant is part of UPM's systematic modernisation programme of its hydropower plants in Finland.
In 2010, UPM completed refurbishment projects at Koivukoski and Ämmäkoski hydropower plants by the River Kajaani in Eastern Finland, and Keltti hydropower plant by the River Kymi in Kouvola, Finland. The total combined cost of these renovations was over 20 million euros.
"With the modernisation programme we have improved the operational efficiency and environmental safety of our hydropower plants," Pollari says.
About UPM Energy Business
UPM's Energy Business Area continues to develop in line with the growth of the climate-friendly energy market. UPM has a solid platform for further development based on our expertise in market operations, as well as our unrivalled knowledge in renewable and versatile energy production. We have 70 energy professionals to further enhance our business in Nordic and Central European markets.
Today, UPM is the second largest electricity producer in Finland. UPM's diversified and cost competitive electricity production capacity consists of hydropower, nuclear power, conventional condensing power and biomass-based combined heat and power (CHP).
UPM owns nine hydropower plants in Finland and has shareholdings in hydropower via Pohjolan Voima Oy, Kemijoki Oy and Kainuun Voima Oy. Nearly one fourth of the UPM's electricity capacity comes from hydropower.
Most of UPM's hydropower plants were built between the 1930's and 1950's.
Hydropower plants have a long life span and their maintenance costs are low - they generate electricity in a cost efficient way and their use can be easily adjusted according to needs.
