The modernization and commissioning of Juuan Kaukolämpö’s heating plant have been completed, and VKK Power has handed over the plant to the customer. The site phase, which began in May, culminated in the commissioning and trial operation of the upgraded plant in September 2026. At the heart of the modernization is a 4 MW biomass boiler manufactured by VKK Power at its facility in Kiuruvesi. The project also improved the plant’s energy efficiency and upgraded flue gas treatment and emissions control systems.
VKK Power and Juuan Kaukolämpö signed an agreement in November 2025 for the modernization of the heating plant. The scope of supply included the modernization of a 4 MW KPA boiler, as well as systems related to flue gas treatment and energy efficiency. As part of the overall solution, Juuan Kaukolämpö also procured a bag filter, a flue gas scrubber and a humidifier.
Before the agreement was signed, VKK’s experts surveyed the plant’s systems and assessed their modernization needs. The objective was to define an overall solution that would support the plant’s operational reliability, availability and safe operation for years to come.
A systematic modernization approach makes it possible to develop the plant one system at a time. At the same time, investments can be spread over several years, while functioning plant components can continue to be used for the remainder of their service life.
The delivered dolution deets the requirements of heat production
According to Janne Pehkonen, Managing Director of Juuan Kaukolämpö, the combination of the 4 MW biomass boiler, flue gas scrubber and filtration system supplied by VKK Power meets the customer’s needs and expectations well.
Both technical and practical operational requirements were taken into account in the implementation, and the solution is well suited to Juuan Kaukolämpö’s heat production needs. The flue gas cleaning system contributes to emissions control, while efficient heat production and a fit-for-purpose overall solution support the plant’s cost-effective operation.
According to Pehkonen, VKK demonstrated strong technical expertise, professionalism and responsibility throughout the different stages of the project, as well as the ability to work constructively in cooperation with the customer. Challenges and changes that arose during the project were addressed flexibly and with a solution-oriented approach.
The project also remained on schedule.
“Cooperation with VKK Power has been reliable and professional. Situations that arose during the project were actively addressed and resolved constructively. The agreed schedule was maintained,” Pehkonen says.
The objective of the modernization was not merely to replace or upgrade an individual boiler, but to create an overall solution that enables the heating plant to continue operating reliably and safely well into the future.
“Overall, we are very satisfied with VKK Power’s performance, the execution of the project and the delivered heat production solution. The overall solution has met our technical, operational, environmental and financial objectives very well,” Pehkonen concludes.
Finnish technology for local heat production
Local sourcing is a key part of Juuan Kaukolämpö’s operations. The wood chips used by the company are sourced almost entirely from wood suppliers operating within the municipality, and the heat produced serves local residents. According to the company, at least 96 percent of the fuel it uses consists of wood fuel sourced from the region.
The 4 MW biomass boiler manufactured in Kiuruvesi brings Finnish boiler expertise and domestic manufacturing into this local heat production chain.