Utilitas to modernise Haapsalu district heating plant

Utilitas has started the renovation of the Haapsalu district heating plant, during which two shale oil boilers will be replaced with a new wood chip boiler, the existing infrastructure and reserve fuel solution will be reconstructed, and an electrostatic precipitator will be installed. The goal is to reduce the use of fossil fuels and make energy production even cleaner and more suitable for urban space.

“As a provider of vital service, we consider it important to ensure the security of supply at an affordable price and with a minimal environmental footprint. Investment in Haapsalu will increase the use of local biomass and thereby also operational continuity and will have a positive impact on the surrounding urban space,” described Robert Kitt, Chairman of the Management Board of Utilitas Eesti.

The existing wood chip boiler and fuel system will be reconstructed at the district heating plant and a new wood chip boiler with a flue gas condenser will be built in place of the two shale oil boilers. An electrostatic precipitator will be added to the plant, which will reduce the amount of fine particles in the exhaust gases to a minimum.

A new liquid fuel tank will also be built on the territory of the plant, and diesel fuel will be the main reserve fuel. In crisis situations, the possibility of using shale oil will be preserved. The current shale oil tanks located near the boiler house and the above-ground pipeline connecting them to the plant will be dismantled.

“Together with Utilitas, we have also assessed the possibility of moving district heating production to an alternative location. However, analyses showed that this would mean a significant price increase for consumers. Therefore, it is positive that the existing plant will be renovated in a way that reduces the use of fossil fuels, improves the environmental condition of the area and allows the removal of shale oil tanks and pipelines, which have affected the appearance of the urban space as well as the living environment of local residents for years,” said Olavi Seisonen, Mayor of Haapsalu.

Reconstruction works on the territory of the district heating plant began in May this year and will be carried out in stages over a period of approximately one year. Works inside the boiler house have begun, such as the reconstruction of the existing wood chip boiler and the construction of a new 6 MW boiler. After that, a new liquid fuel tank will be built on the territory of the boiler house and the shale oil tank park with transmission structures will be liquidated.