News Tag: Finnish

Enersense builds high-voltage transmission line using low-carbon concrete

Enersense is constructing a 400 kV high-voltage transmission line in northern Finland for the transmission system operator Fingrid, using low-carbon concrete elements in the foundations. To the best of current knowledge, this is the first time low-carbon concrete structures have been used in the construction of a high-voltage electricity network in Finland. The pilot is being carried out in collaboration with the precast concrete manufacturer Consolis Parma.

Concrete plays a key role in grid construction and is used in almost all foundations of high-voltage transmission towers. In total, the project covers approximately 117 kilometres of transmission line, around one third of which will be built using low-carbon concrete elements.

The project will utilise nearly one thousand low-carbon concrete elements, requiring more than two million kilogrammes of low-carbon concrete in their manufacture. The construction process remains unchanged: the elements are cast at the factory and installed underground on site, after which the towers are erected on top of the foundations. The elements are produced at Parma’s Oulu factory.

“Cement production is a significant source of emissions, and we are continuously seeking new ways to reduce emissions from construction in order to support our customers in achieving their sustainability targets. The use of lower-carbon concrete is one example of how we can strengthen our customers’ positive environmental impact while also setting an example for the industry and society through more environmentally friendly construction. Pilots of this kind are important for Finland’s carbon neutrality goals,” says Santeri Hirvonen, Director of Transmission Line Construction Finland at Enersense.

Low-carbon concrete elements reduce emissions by 15 per cent

The foundation elements are manufactured as PARMA Green products in accordance with the low-carbon classification of the Finnish Concrete Association, using a concrete mix with emissions 15 per cent lower than the standard level. The use of low-carbon concrete mixes requires third-party certification from the manufacturer.

“Our environmental development work focuses on the manufacture of low-carbon products, energy efficiency and the circular economy. Our climate target is to reduce our emissions by five per cent annually and to halve them by 2035,” says Juha Rämö, Chief Technology Officer at Consolis Parma.

“Last year, more than half of our production consisted of low-carbon PARMA Green products. In this transmission line project, carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by nearly 50,000 kilogrammes thanks to the low-carbon alternative,” Rämö adds.

The end customer for the project is Finland’s transmission system operator, Fingrid.

Sähköverkon rakentaminen, kuvituskuva

Enersense is building 100 kilometres of new main grid in Central Finland

Enersense has won Fingrid’s tender concerning the construction of a new 400-kilovolt transmission line in Central Finland. In total, 100 kilometres of new transmission line will be built. Enersense has also designed the transmission line that will now be constructed.

The new line will run between Alajärvi and Petäjävesi, from South Ostrobothnia to Central Finland.

“The main grid is an important part of Finland’s critical infrastructure. It is an honour for us to ensure the transmission line is built with high quality and safety. The agreement we have now signed strengthens our position as a lifecycle partner for main grid projects, as we have also designed the line to be built,” says Juha Silvola, EVP, Enersense’s Power business unit.

The project includes dismantling the old line and constructing a new one. New pylons and foundations will also be built, and the new transmission line will be connected to four different substations.

The value of the project is approximately EUR 27 million, and it will be recorded in Enersense’s Power business unit’s order backlog for the third quarter. The decision becomes legally binding after the appeal period specified in the Finnish procurement law has ended.

Voimajohto, kuvituskuva

120 cars switch to electric – Enersense accelerates emission-free transport

Enersense will switch one third of its fleet in Finland to electric vehicles during autumn 2025. Enersense employees drive around 8 million kilometers annually in Finland, so the impact on reducing traffic emissions will be significant.

The electrification of the car fleet is an important step in reducing Enersense’s own carbon dioxide emissions, while also enabling the company to provide services to its customers with lower emissions. With the new cars, the need for maintenance decreases and fuel costs are reduced.

“We want to improve the driving safety and comfort of our employees, as well as reduce emissions in our value chain. Electric vehicles are a concrete action on our path to cutting climate emissions,” says Janne Jaakkola, Enersense’s Head of Sourcing.

Enersense is a lifecycle partner for customers in energy transmission and production, industrial energy transition and telecommunications. In Finland, the company has around 1,300 employees and approximately 370 cars, with plans to transition the remaining vehicles to electric in the near future.

According to rough calculations*, electrification will mean over 400 tons less carbon dioxide emissions annually for Enersense. This is estimated to equal the yearly emissions of about 50 people in Finland.

1.7 million electric kilometers mean significant emission reductions

Enersense has estimated that simply electrifying the first batch of its car fleet will convert around 1.7 million kilometers to emission-free driving.

“Electric vehicles have a major impact on emissions. In addition, for many of our employees, the car is their workplace and primary work tool, so our staff have welcomed the change positively,” says Jaakkola.

The first vehicles will be delivered to employees in September. The cars are Citroën vans, which Enersense has ordered from the importer Auto-Bon Oy.

According to Auto-Bon’s Sales Director, Panu Lahtinen, electrification of vehicle fleets remains a strong trend, now extending to vans as well.

“Fully electric vehicles are increasing their share of first-time van registrations every year. This year, around 17 percent of all first-time van registrations are fully electric, compared to about 6 percent three years ago,” Lahtinen says.

“Recent years’ experience has shown that Citroën’s fully electric vans are functional and cost-efficient work tools even in Finnish conditions. As an expert partner, we support companies in sustainable and economical solutions when transitioning to electric fleets, and we believe that Enersense’s user experiences will further encourage continued electrification.”

Calculations use diesel source Defra (2024). The emission factor for electricity consumed in Finland comes from Fingrid (2023). The carbon footprint of the average Finn’s annual consumption is 7.7 tCO2e/person, Syke (2021).

Enersensen sähköauto