The carbon footprint of the Port’s own operations decreased by 15%

The Port of Helsinki completed the energy efficiency renovation of its passenger terminals at the end of the year. The Port’s energy consumption remained at the previous year’s level. Electricity consumption increased and heat consumption decreased.

The Port will pursue carbon neutrality in its own operations at a faster pace than before, as early as 2025, as part of the new strategy. The Port is moving towards its objective by improving its energy efficiency, switching to LED lighting, streamlining heat recycling and recovery, improving premises’ resource efficiency and increasing the Port’s own solar power production.

  • The Port of Helsinki was awarded the Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certificate in spring 2022. This gives ports clear environmental objectives based on the principle of continuous development.

Self-produced energy

The Port of Helsinki increased the amount of self-produced renewable energy.

There are solar panels at Vuosaari Harbour on the noise barrier and the roof of the customs building. In the West Harbour, the solar panels are located on the roof of the West Terminal 2 passenger corridor, and the most recent solar panels were installed on the roof of the Olympia Terminal at the end of 2022.

  • The new set of panels has a nominal output of 250 kWp and an estimated expected output of about 200 MWh per year.
  • In total, the Port of Helsinki produced a total of 197 MWh of renewable electricity (2021: 190 MWh).

The energy use of properties

The Port of Helsinki switched to acquiring carbon-free electricity in 2020 and continued this practice in 2022. As such, the Port’s carbon dioxide emissions were generated mostly in the heating of properties.

  • The Port’s total energy consumption in 2022 was 24,700 MWh (+ 0%), of which carbon-free energy accounted for 65% (2021: 59%).
  • The amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated was 1,500 tonnes (- 15%).

Effective measures

  • The completion of the energy efficiency project for passenger terminals, launched in autumn last year, was the Port’s most significant measure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in 2022. The project is expected to reduce the Port of Helsinki’s own carbon dioxide emissions by up to 500 tonnes per year, and the full energy savings will become realised only in the 2023 figures.The terminal building technology was optimised to make the terminals more efficient to use, and old properties were also upgraded with new technology and equipment. At the same time, the amount of self-generated, renewable energy was increased.
    Read more about the energy efficiency renovation.
  • The large-scale lighting upgrade in the Vuosaari Harbour area, which was started in 2021, was completed in 2022. In the project, gas discharge lights were replaced with energy-efficient LED lights. The new lighting will save around 830 MWh per year.
  • The Port of Helsinki continued the electrification of its own vehicle fleet and increased the charging infrastructure in both the South Harbour and Vuosaari Harbour. Electrifying the mobility of the Port’s own staff, stakeholders and passengers contributes to the building of more sustainable mobility and a carbon-neutral port. An extensive charging network is a prerequisite for the electrification of mobility.
    Read more.
  • In October, the Association of Project Professionals Finland (PRY) awarded an honourable mention to Ramboll Oy for the project to deepen Vuosaari Harbour and fairway, which was completed in 2021 and implemented for the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, the Port of Helsinki and the City of Helsinki. The emphasis on sustainable development and biodiversity objectives in these projects was considered noteworthy.