Promotion of Helen Ltd’s environmental objectives

The goal of the assessment

The main question of the assessment was whether Helen Ltd (Helen) has contributed to the strategic environmental objectives of the City Group. This was examined by assessing whether Helen has promoted carbon neutrality objectives, promoted the phasing out of combustion-based energy production, ensured the sustainability of the biomass it burns and adequately taken into account the impacts of wood burning on biodiversity. Helen is an energy company that is owned entirely by the City of Helsinki and provides electricity, heating, cooling and other energy services to its clients. Helen’s role in achieving Helsinki’s environmental objectives is significant.

Conclusions

Based on the assessment, Helen has for the most part promoted the strategic environmental objectives of the City Group. Helen is likely to achieve carbon neutrality in 2030 in accordance with the City Group's environmental objectives if the investments planned for the coming years are realised. By 2024, Helen’s carbon dioxide emissions had been reduced by approximately 54% from the 1990 level. All the biomass that Helen burns is certified, but not all of the certificates are ecologically effective. Helen has, to some extent, promoted the phasing out of combustion-based energy production. There are three possible ways of doing so: small-scale nuclear power, the capture of biogenic carbon dioxide and environmental and partnership heating. According to Helen, small-scale nuclear power, in particular, offers a number of benefits, such as independence from the electricity system, the possibility to produce electricity and economic efficiency. It would also put an end to combustion-based energy production. However, legislation on small-scale nuclear power is still being drafted.