Carbon footprint of the Port’s operations – making the energy use of terminals more efficient

The amount of energy used by the port company itself remained close to the level of the previous year. 64% of the energy used was produced without carbon. The Port is aiming to decrease the amount of energy used further by making the energy use of terminals more efficient.

  • The Port of Helsinki’s goal is to become carbon-neutral in terms of its own emissions by 2035. 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 energy use of properties increased slightly

The Port of Helsinki switched to acquiring carbon-free electricity in 2020 and continued this practice in 2021. As such, the Port’s carbon dioxide emissions were generated mostly in the heating of properties.

  • The Port’s total energy consumption in 2021 was 25,800 MWh (+9%), of which carbon-free energy accounted for 64% (2020: 68%)
  • The amount of carbon dioxide emissions generated was 1,600 tonnes (+7%).

The Port of Helsinki produced more renewable electricity itself than before. Solar panels installed on the roofs of the customs buildings of Vuosaari Harbour and West Terminal 2 in 2020 produced solar electricity in tandem with previously installed panels.

All in all, the Port of Helsinki produced a total of 190 MWh of renewable electricity.

Energy renovations at passenger terminals now under way

The Port continued its efforts towards objectives such as decreasing its own energy use and using self-produced renewable energy:

  • The most significant measure to decrease emissions was the energy efficiency project at passenger terminals launched late in the year. However, a large portion of the energy savings achieved will not be observable until 2022–2023.The project began at West Terminal 2, and in 2022, the work will continue at Katajanokka Harbour and the Olympia Terminal. The project will be finished by the end of 2022. The building technology will be optimised to make use more efficient, and old properties will also undergo technology and equipment renewals.
    The project aims at reducing energy consumption at terminals, increasing the amount of self-produced renewable energy and saving money. Passengers will see these changes as concrete improvements in the quality and uniformity of indoor air.Thanks to the project, the Port of Helsinki’s own carbon dioxide emissions are decreased annually by roughly 500 tonnes.
    Read more about the energy efficiency project
  • In 2021, the Port began an extensive project to update the lighting of the Vuosaari Harbour area, in which gas discharge lights are replaced with LEDs. Roughly 2/3 of the lights to be updated were replaced in 2021, and the project will be completed in 2022. The energy efficiency project is estimated to have saved approx. 280 MWh in 2021, and it will save approx. 830 MWh annually once all the lights have been replaced.
  • WWF Finland audited the environmental programme of the Port of Helsinki’s HQ in April, and Satamatalo is now a WWF-certified Green Office. The HQ’s environmental management system meets the WWF’s criteria, and the Port is committed to continuously improving its operations.
    Read more about the Green Office label 
  • South Harbour, West Harbour and Vuosaari Harbour have environmental permits in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act that guide their operations. The permits set minimum levels for noise, emissions and waste management in port areas, but the objectives set for the Port’s operations are considerably loftier. The Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment performed scheduled inspections of the environmental permits in November 2021, and the inspection was passed with few remarks.
  • The Port updated the action plan for the Sustainable Travel Finland label awarded in 2020, and the Port’s right to use the label was renewed. Visit Finland may award the label to businesses that meet its criteria for economic, ecological, social and cultural sustainability in travel.