Using Helen's data
We believe that to make a difference to our world is to first understand it. Here were are opening Helen’s data sets and show how we are using them in our decision making. In time, we open a metering point level access to this data for our partners.
Our first data deals with following up on how Helen plans to reach its decarbonization targets for 2030. These sustainability efforts have been a huge focus for Helen’s recent activities and we believe the information will play ever increasing role in future decisions as well.
We would be delighted to hear what kind of data or content we could provide to support you in your work!
Mission
Reduction of negative environmental impacts is an everyday activity for us and steers our operations. Mitigating climate change is an important driver for our planning of future energy solutions and investments. For years, we have made a conscious effort to work towards carbon neutrality.
Carbon-neutral energy is a high priority to our operations. Climate-neutral energy production means that the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will not be not increased.
Helen’s emissions
To understand the scope and the most meaningful actions to reduce Helen’s emissions, we open data of the most significant categories. We are keeping the emissions of our power plants having an impact on air quality, i.e. sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions, within the constantly tightening limit values specified by the authorities. We have also released data about our district heating power consumption from the recent years.
By 2025 we are targeting to cut down our CO₂ emissions by at least 40% compared to 1990 level, increase share of renewables to at least 25%, and to at least halve the amount of coal used. We are constantly reviewing our carbon-neutrality roadmap to seek even more ambitious opportunities; we updated recently our carbon-neutrality target from 2035 to 2030, and are currently reviewing feasibility to expedite the plan to abandon coal completely already by early 2024 instead of the original 2029 schedule.
Helen is the first energy company in Finland to commit to setting a science-based emissions reduction target. The emissions calculation will be based on the GHG protocol, meaning that also other greenhouse gases calculated according to the life cycle are taken into account, in addition to CO₂ emissions. In addition to Scope 1 (direct stack) emissions, indirect Scope 2 (emissions from operations, such as those from properties and mobility and Scope 3 (purchases) are constantly more thoroughly examined.
Reacting
The most emitting power plant, Hanasaari, will be shut down by April 2023, a plan that was earlier set to happen only by end of year 2024. Heat production in Hanasaari will be replaced with multiple solutions, including heat pump enabled heat recycling, seasonal energy storage, as well as a bioenergy heating plant planned for Vuosaari. Plan to expedite abandoning coal in Salmisaari plant is under review.
Solar energy provides us and our customers a sustainable energy source. Helen is producing solar energy in multiple locations and our customers rely on Helen in their solar energy needs. You can check out how much our solar plants in Suvilahti and Kivikko are producing energy.
Using data to reach your own goals
This page contains just a few examples on how you can use energy data in decision making. At Helen, we are opening up an increasing number of APIs for our partners to use in their own solutions and to build on top of. We hope to see our partners to find uses for this data, and in future something we never even dared to dream of. Please let us know if you have any ideas about data that we should share, we are just getting started!