News Tag: IR

Enersense is responsible for the maintenance of Tampere’s new central treatment plant, where wastewater from six municipalities in the Pirkanmaa region – Kangasala, Lempäälä, Pirkkala, Tampere, Vesilahti and Ylöjärvi – is treated. Although Enersense has extensive experience in demanding industrial environments, Sulkavuori represents a new kind of operating environment for its maintenance personnel.

The modern facility differs clearly from many older factory settings. Sulkavuori is new, clean and highly automated. Automation, however, does not remove the need for expertise. Enersense aims to bring an industrial maintenance culture to the site, with a strong focus on anticipation and prevention.

“Working as a maintenance technician at a wastewater treatment plant requires a broad skill set. During the same working day, you may need mechanical maintenance expertise, welding skills, an understanding of electrical systems and automation, and gas safety knowledge. The maintenance system is also essential: every job is recorded in the system so that it can later be checked what was done, when a piece of equipment was serviced, and what caused a fault. When information does not depend on one person’s memory, operations can be developed in a more proactive way,” says maintenance engineer Niko Lahdenpää.

A work is planned one week at a time.

“For example, this week we have been cleaning inlet pumps. Next week, we will install new valves in the compressed air system and add support structures to the pipework in the sludge building. Today, the day continues with the monthly testing of the fire alarm control panels. The work includes planned maintenance, modification work and unexpected fault repairs.”

Maintenance technicians wear tall rubber boots, carry gas detectors and need full vaccinations

A technician’s working day at a wastewater treatment plant is not for the faint-hearted. Lahdenpää points out that a modern wastewater treatment plant is a clean and comfortable place to work. Even so, the conditions are physically demanding, and gases and odours can at times be strong. When pumps are opened and equipment is serviced, workers come into direct contact with wastewater, which is why hygiene and protective measures require exceptional attention.

In addition to workwear, their equipment includes rubber boots, masks, visors and long rubber gloves with cut and puncture protection. Vaccinations must also be up to date. Wastewater can contain almost anything – including used drug needles, which not only pose a risk to employees but can also disrupt the operation of the plant.

Safety is the foundation of everything. Hot work, confined space work and tasks carried out in potentially explosive areas always require permits. Employees always carry gas detectors with them. Lahdenpää stresses that although this is a technically demanding environment, the workplace is safe from the employee’s perspective when every stage is carried out carefully and in line with agreed procedures.

The importance of the work is especially visible in the inlet pumping stations, which are critical to the plant’s operation. If wastewater continues to flow in but the pumps stop working, the situation can quickly become serious for the surrounding waterways.

“With our work, we help ensure that waterways stay clean, and that makes the job meaningful,” says Lahdenpää.

At the moment, the plant has been handed over by the contractors. The process is still being fine-tuned in cooperation with the treatment plant’s own personnel.

“In newly commissioned plants, there are always unexpected variables. Not all equipment works exactly as planned. Unplanned repairs are needed, and settings are refined. We respond to unexpected situations immediately. We are in a customer service profession.”

I have worked in the telecommunications sector for 20 years. Even so, it is still surprisingly common for a single site to involve several different operators, even though the whole could be delivered through one provider. When many parties are involved, the work easily becomes reactive: only what is specifically requested gets done. That drives up costs, makes resource management more difficult and ultimately weakens reliability of delivery.

In critical infrastructure, control of the whole builds trust. When work is planned and predictable, we can focus on quality and safety.

A proactive way of working saves money, resources and emissions

There is no shortage of work in telecommunications networks. Data centres need connections. Operators are investing in fibre construction and renewing ageing mast infrastructure. Fibre networks, fast wireless connections and modern mast infrastructure are also essential for the smooth functioning of businesses and society.

As a partner to operators, we at Enersense also have a responsibility to keep developing the way we work. When we work in a more systematic way, we improve efficiency and help our customers reach their targets, including emissions reductions.

Based on the Marjaniemi mast pilot, we saw that construction was completed faster, unnecessary travel between stages was reduced, and the site placed less strain on the residential area and the surrounding environment. From our side, the pilot required only a more proactive approach with the customer, and even from a single trial we learned how to make the work smoother and higher in quality in the future.

A more systematic way of working improves employee wellbeing

In our Connectivity Business Unit, we have spent the past two years ambitiously developing our field work processes. When the whole chain works in a planned and transparent way, work progresses in a controlled and cost-efficient manner.

One practical change in our operations has been the expansion of digitalisation across our processes. Our new digital field service management model increases transparency throughout the chain. When the status of a construction project is visible to both Enersense employees and the customer, there are fewer surprises. Better predictability reduces urgency and creates a safer everyday working environment. In one service process, we succeeded in improving the speed of work order invoicing by as much as 70 per cent on average.

Systematic planning is not only about efficiency or cost savings. The change also affects the everyday work of our field installers. Our people now have a much clearer picture of what the next day will bring. Deviations are spotted early. Work is no longer about constantly putting out fires, but about continuous improvement. I believe that makes us an even more attractive employer.

By nature, I am systematic and tend to optimise anything that can be approached in a standardised way, so I am genuinely enthusiastic about improving the way we work. The more standardised the process, the more room we have to think differently and develop new solutions for customers, such as the one in Marjaniemi. That is how predictability becomes a competitive advantage for us.

The tower is used to manufacture high-voltage subsea cables used, for example, to connect offshore wind power to the grid in Sweden. Enersense installed the tower’s cooling pipelines, which are a key part of the subsea cable manufacturing process.

Installing the pipelines in such a tall tower was a demanding project and was carried out in sections. The pipelines were assembled at ground level in pieces, like large Lego blocks. The sections were then lifted inside the tower to heights of up to 160 metres.

The project’s pressure test reached nearly 200 metres

“Assembling pipelines at this height was an exceptional project. When working inside the tower, it is impossible to see the whole structure at once, so the work progresses piece by piece. In the final stage, the pipeline joints were X-rayed to ensure the welds met the required quality standards. Despite the challenging nature of the project, we received very positive feedback on the quality of our work,” says Ville Poutiainen, Project Executions Director.

Enersense also carried out a pressure test on the pipeline system. In this project, testing was particularly important because of the significant pressure difference between the top of the tower and ground level. The hydrostatic pressure test was conducted in accordance with the EU Pressure Equipment Directive at a height of nearly 200 metres and, according to the inspectors’ assessment, ranks among the highest pressure tests ever carried out in Northern Europe. The pressure test was completed successfully.

“The height is roughly equivalent to almost two towers of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. The views over Karlskrona were spectacular. From the tower, you could watch ships in the harbour and the surrounding historic town as the work progressed. The atmosphere on site was also extremely positive, and cooperation with all partners went very smoothly,” says Supervisor Keijo Suihko.

Project customer for Enersense is Maillefer. The subsea cable manufacturing tower is scheduled to begin operations later this year.

Under the contract, Enersense will carry out network repairs and construction work, fault resolution, and scheduled maintenance. The scope also includes preparing technical solutions and designs, maintaining substations and power lines, and ensuring network reliability in line with service orders.

According to Veiko Natus, Manager of the Northern Region at Enersense Estonia, the agreement continues a long-standing partnership in the area.

“We are grateful for Elektrilevi’s trust in Enersense and look forward to continuing our close cooperation. For decades, we have helped ensure reliable electricity distribution in Western Harju County. Together with our skilled experts, we work every day to safeguard this essential service across the region,” says Natus.

The whole framework agreement for the maintenance of Elektrilevi’s network is worth EUR 9 million, and it’s shared between two companies: Enersense and E-Service.

The value of the agreement for Enersense is approximately EUR 4.6 million, and it runs until 2030. The agreement will be recorded in the order book of Enersense’s Power Business Unit for the first quarter of 2026.

More information

Veiko Natus, Manager of the Northern Region in Estonia
+372 6635704
veiko.natus@enersense.com

The project is strategically important for Enersense, as it will be the first full-scope BESS project in Enersense’s history. Enersense draws on its strong expertise in operating and maintaining battery energy storage systems in Finland. 

“While we have previously participated in several projects related to BESS, this time we are taking full responsibility for the entire delivery – from site preparation to the final grid connection of the BESS. As the share of renewable energy continues to grow, battery energy storage systems play an increasingly important role in maintaining grid stability and ensuring a reliable energy supply,” says Arnis Odiņš, Managing Director of Enersense in Latvia. 

Full-scope construction and installation from preparation to commissioning 

As part of the project, Enersense will deliver comprehensive civil and electrical works, including site preparation, earthworks and the construction of foundations for all major installations. The company will also manage the acceptance, installation and assembly of the main equipment. 

The scope also includes the construction of the BESS control building and related engineering systems, as well as the installation of cable networks, grounding and lightning protection systems. 

A key element of the project is the construction of a new 110 kV cable line connecting the BESS park to the AST Grobiņa substation. In addition, Enersense will install the high-voltage 110/33 kV power transformer and associated primary equipment within the BESS park area. Upon completion, the site will be finalised with landscaping works, such as the construction of access roads and yards, fencing installation and the development of a drainage system. Work will commence immediately, with completion scheduled for 2026. 

“We appreciate the trust placed in us by the client. Enersense aims to be a trusted lifecycle partner for battery energy storage companies. This agreement is a strong demonstration of that ambition in practice,” says Odiņš. 

The total contract value amounts to approximately EUR 7 million, and it will be recorded in the order book of Enersense’s Power Business Unit for the first quarter of 2026. 

Enersense has entered into a construction work agreement with a Latvian state-owned energy company AS Latvenergo for the development of a fibre connection to a new large-scale data centre currently under construction in Salaspils, near Riga.

The agreement covers the construction of the fibre infrastructure required for the facility.

Earlier in January, Enersense signed a construction agreement with the Latvian electricity distribution system operator AS Sadales Tīkls for the development of new medium- and low-voltage power transmission lines to the same data centre.

The main scope of work includes the construction of a 3.5 km medium-voltage transmission line and a 2.0 km fibre connection, as well as the installation of disconnectors and switchgear equipment.

Building on successful data centre projects in Finland

Enersense has previously delivered data connectivity solutions and district heat recovery systems for data centres in Finland.

“This project represents an important step for Enersense in Latvia, as it marks our entry into data centre infrastructure projects. It demonstrates our capability to deliver reliable power line and fibre connection solutions for critical infrastructure, while also highlighting the strong expertise of our local team and their ability to meet demanding qualification and technical requirements,” says Arnis Odiņš, Head of Enersense Latvia.

“Our extensive expertise in substations, battery energy storage, power transmission networks and renewable energy solutions is highly relevant to data centre developers. We see significant potential in this segment, and a considerable share of our operations is already directly or indirectly linked to data centres,” Odiņš adds.

“We are determined to reduce climate emissions – both our own and those of our customers. That is why we have integrated science-based emission reduction targets into all our operations. The climate target approved by the international Science Based Targets initiative is one of our key strategic objectives alongside our financial targets, and external validation increases the transparency of our climate work,” says Liisi Tamminen, Enersense’s Head of Communications and Sustainability.

Enersense’s climate targets for 2035 approved by SBTi:

• Absolute GHG emissions (Scope 1–2) from own operations -63% from the 2023 baseline
• Absolute GHG emissions from the value chain (Scope 3) -38% from the 2023 baseline
• Combined, these targets will reduce Enersense’s emissions by 40%

The greatest impact on emissions from increasing the use of low-carbon steel

More than 90% of Enersense’s emissions originate from sources other than the company’s own operations, so-called Scope 3 emission sources. The greatest single source of emissions is steel used in green energy transition projects, such as power lines and substations. Steel accounts for about one-third of the company’s emissions. Enersense has drawn up a climate roadmap that defines the actions needed to achieve emission reductions.

“The shift to low-emission steel, the electrification of our vehicle fleet and getting our material and service suppliers committed to emission reduction are the keyways to achieve our climate targets. We have identified numerous ways to reduce emissions from the investments, operation and maintenance of clean energy transition and telecommunications networks. We do not yet have all the solutions for reducing emissions, so we are open to innovation and new ways of working,” says Tamminen.

Enersense collaborates with WWF Finland to increase demand for low-emission steel. By offering more climate friendly materials, Enersense can also help its customers to reduce their emissions and improve their carbon handprint.

More information:

Liisi Tamminen, Head of Communications and Sustainability
liisi.tamminen@enersense.com
tel. +358 44 222 5552

“We thank Helen for their trust and for the opportunity to continue our cooperation. Helen is delivering Finland’s most impactful energy transition, and we are committed to continuously improving our work to advance it,” says Mikael Vainionpää, Enersense’s EVP, Energy Transition Business Unit.

In accordance with the cooperation agreement, Enersense will continue to develop its operation and maintenance services as well as personnel, as new forms of energy production require new expertise. Approximately 150 Enersense employees work on the Helen account. In line with its strategy, Enersense acts as Helen’s partner across the entire energy production lifecycle.

“Over the past few years, we have reduced our emissions at a very rapid pace, with emissions already more than 80 per cent lower than in 1990. As the most significant demonstration of our transformation, we closed our last coal-fired power plant in Salmisaari last spring, bringing the use of coal in our energy production to an end. High-quality operation and maintenance services are a prerequisite for delivering an energy transition of this scale and speed,” says Timo Aaltonen, SVP, Heating and cooling at Helen.

“A sustainable society of the future runs on clean energy. We have supported Helen in transitioning away from coal, improved cost efficiency and increased the use of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in operation and maintenance. We will apply these lessons and continue to develop the society of the future in our capital city,” Vainionpää says.

The value of the agreement is over EUR 30 million, and it will be recorded in the Energy Transition Business Unit’s order book for the first quarter of 2026.

More information:

Mikael Vainionpää, EVP, Energy Transition Business Unit
Tel. +358 50 570 7867
mikael.vainionpaa@enersense.com

Liisi Tamminen, Head of Communications and Sustainability 
Tel. +358 44 222 5552 
liisi.tamminen@enersense.com 

Through the collaboration, Enersense will be better equipped to support its customers in choosing low-emission steel, thereby reducing emissions and improving its carbon handprint. Globally, the steel production value chain accounts for almost ten per cent of all CO2e-emissions. However, low-emission production technologies already exist. Strong demand signals can accelerate investments in new fossil-free production facilities.

“Reducing emissions from steel requires action across the entire value chain. Steel is one of the most efficiently recycled materials in the world, but recycling alone is not enough. Steel plants should transition to using renewable electricity. We are also eagerly awaiting the completion of green steel production investments, which would enable electricity and telecommunications networks to be built using near-zero-emission steel. There is still some way to go, so through our collaboration with WWF Finland we are increasing demand for low-emission steel by supporting our customers in procuring genuinely lower-emission solutions,” says Liisi Tamminen, Head of Communications and Sustainability at Enersense.

The decarbonisation of steel production has been one of WWF Finland’s climate priorities for several years. WWF Finland also leads WWF’s international steel programme. WWF Finland brings deep expertise on the steel market and its environmental impacts across the entire supply chain to the collaboration. It also supports Enersense in advancing practical climate action and acts as the company’s expert partner.

Enersense has already piloted the use of low-emission steel in construction. The company is currently, for the first time in Finland, building substations that utilise recycled steel in their structures. The carbon dioxide emissions of this steel are on average around 40 per cent lower compared with conventional steel.

Enersense aims to reduce emissions from clean energy transition and telecommunications network investments

“Enersense is a pioneer in the use of low-emission steel in substation construction, and through our collaboration we can boost impactful climate action in other construction projects as well. Initiatives like this are crucial for enabling the entire market to shift towards more sustainable choices,” says Bernt Nordman, Programme Director, Climate Programme at WWF Finland.

In addition to regular dialogue, the collaboration will produce a practical guide for buyers of low-emission steel and a joint event focusing on the benefits and procurement of low-emission steel.

“We have set ambitious, science-based emission reduction targets, and achieving them requires strong expertise and concrete actions. Our goal is that investments in clean energy transition and telecommunications networks can in future be carried out with lower emissions than before. We are pleased to see that our customers are highly interested in low-emission alternatives,” Liisi Tamminen says.

More information
Liisi Tamminen, Head of Communications and Sustainability
liisi.tamminen@enersense.com, 044 2225552

Bernt Nordman, ilmasto-ohjelman johtaja, WWF Suomi
bernt.nordman@wwf.fi, 050 525 0348

Amanda Rejström, global lead, WWF Steel Decarbonisation Workstream
amanda.rejstrom@wwf.fi, 050 300 5058 

Building a fibre network requires many specialists: designers whose plans guide the installers’ work, project managers who track schedules, and procurement experts responsible for materials. A single site can involve thousands of events and milestones, which are difficult to manage without comprehensive oversight. Clear scheduling and control of progress are essential for both installers in the field and partners and customers alike. There are many moving parts.

Enersense is streamlining this complex puzzle with a new digital way of working.

The company’s partner in this transformation is Sitetracker, the global leader in complete Asset Lifecycle Management. As industry needs are constantly evolving and rigid systems can become bottlenecks, Enersense and Sitetracker are developing both the platform and the way of working together.

“In our strategy, we have decided to differentiate through transparency and efficiency delivered to the customer. This new digitalised way of working is a concrete step in the right direction. It is also a significant commitment to change for us,” says Miika Erola, EVP, Connectivity at Enersense.

When data from different phases of a project is brought together in one place, the process becomes transparent. Thanks to the new digital way of working, customers can see in real time how the fibre network is progressing.

“In services where the new model is in use, delivery times to customers have in some cases been cut by up to half,” Erola says.

An easier and more secure working day for installers without paperwork

The new digital system works like a car dashboard and is easy to use. Installers can clearly see which task comes next and mark it as completed once it is done. Everyone involved in the project can follow progress and anticipate their own actions. The system guides work in the correct order and reminds users of things that are easily forgotten on a busy day.

In an industry where pen and paper are still common and information is scattered across multiple places, the change is significant.

“Previously, installers might have noted completed tasks in their own Excel files or notebooks. Now all information is securely stored on a single mobile platform. Thanks to the platform, critical risk assessments cannot be overlooked. The chain works safely, as it should,” Erola says.

The working day becomes easier when daily tasks are visible directly on the platform. Unnecessary trips are reduced, as the right tools are taken along from the start of the day. Employee wellbeing can also be better supported when workloads are visible and it is easier to assess how much input is needed from each person and where.

At present, the new way of working is being rolled out in the project management of construction services. According to Erola, the aim is to expand it in the future to all Enersense field work and work phases across different business areas and countries of operation.

“We are excited about this. We want to be both a reliable partner for our customers and an attractive employer for skilled professionals, and this new way of working supports both.”

A total of 20 turbines will be built for the Kannisto wind farm. Due to the scale of the project, the connection will be made directly to Fingrid’s 400 kV transmission grid, which requires a separate substation where the electricity produced by the turbines is converted to the grid’s voltage level. In addition, a new transmission line will be built from the substation to Fingrid’s station.

Enersense’s contract includes the design, procurement, construction, installations, testing and commissioning of the substation.

“We have solid experience in substation projects across Finland, and we will bring all this expertise to the Kannisto project as well. We are looking forward to working together and getting the project started,” says Anssi Niiles, Vice President of Enersense’s substation business.

Renewable energy projects are important for Finland

Wind power investments strengthen Finland’s energy self-sufficiency, reduce emissions and support the shift towards affordable, clean electricity. Large-scale new projects are also significant regional investments that create jobs and accelerate the modernisation of the electricity system.

“It’s great to be back in the renewable energy market. The sector has been somewhat quieter in recent years, so new investments are very welcome to support the growth of carbon-neutral electricity. We are grateful to OX2 for their trust,” says Sirpa Smids, Enersense’s Director of Renewables.

The contract will be recorded in the order backlog of Enersense’s Power Business Unit for the fourth quarter of 2025. Design work on the substation will begin in January 2026, and the substation will be commissioned at the end of 2027.