Vapo shifts the energy supply of Valio’s dairy in Jyväskylä to Finnish bioenergy
Currently, the steam and process heat needed at the Valio dairy in Jyväskylä are generated with two heavy fuel oil boilers. The emission limits for oil boiler plants will be amended on 1 January 2018, and the boiler plant in Jyväskylä would not meet the new, more stringent limit values for SO2 with its current fuel profile. This is why Valio decided to renew the entire energy supply of the plants in Jyväskylä. It chose a sustainable solution that generates both heat and the energy needed for industrial production.
The Jyväskylä dairy specialises in milk, cream, sour cream and specialty dairy products. In 2015, the volume of dairy products received and produced at the plant exceeded 160 million litres. The plant employs nearly 300 people, and its annual energy consumption is slightly over 30 GWh.
After the completion of the new solid fuel plant, over 90 per cent of the energy used at Valio’s Jyväskylä dairy will be supplied from domestic bioenergy sources—wood chips, other wood-based fuels and milled peat. The existing steam boilers will be turned into spare boilers for peak times and be fired with light fuel oil. The new boiler plant will be constructed in 2016–2017. The construction will start with earthworks in the spring.
The new operating model will make the plant’s energy supply more environmentally sound and cost-efficient than the current model. Furthermore, sourcing energy locally increases local well-being by creating six new jobs in plant operation, fuel production and logistics. The employment effect of the construction phase is about 26 person-years.
Vapo is solely responsible for the construction of the plant and for its operation and fuel supply after completion. Thanks to the new outsourcing contract on energy supply, the plant can use steam in industrial processes in a cost-efficient way.
“In addition to the security of supply, we emphasised cost-efficiency and environmental matters in the selection of the new model. With this solution, we will shift from heavy fuel oil to locally sourced Finnish energy. Although the price of oil is low at the moment, Finnish fuel is still a more economical choice, and I believe the difference will become even more pronounced in the years to come. Valio’s dairy production and the supply and processing chain employ approximately 1,500 people in Central Finland, bringing a total of EUR 60 million as income for the region every year. The shift to locally sourced energy will strengthen the region’s economy further. The contract with Vapo ensures the security of heat supply and energy efficiency during the contract period. It also allows the Jyväskylä dairy to develop its product range in innovative ways that take the needs of our customers into account,” says Jukka Partti, Director of the Jyväskylä dairy.
“Vapo has over a hundred energy supply units in Finland, and in line with our strategy, we are seeking growth in industrial energy partnerships. This long-term energy supply contract with Valio reflects our strategy well and improves our position as a partner that offers reliable, cost- and energy-efficient services that are based on Finnish fuels. As our customer, Valio will receive access to our modern operating services that include round-the-clock support from our highly competent service organisation,” says Markus Hassinen, Director of the Heat and Power business area at Vapo.
For further information, please contact:
– Markus Hassinen, Business Area Director, Vapo Oy, tel. +358 (0)40 159 0314
– Mika Hillu, Sales Director, Vapo Oy, tel. +358 (0)400 886 913
– Jukka Partti, Plant Director, Valio Ltd, tel. +358 (0)50 384 1323