Helsinki has officially shut down its last coal-fired power plant, Salmisaari, marking a historic moment in the city’s green transition.
The closure, on 1 April 2025, is expected to cut Helsinki’s carbon dioxide emissions by 30% compared to the previous year and virtually ends coal burning across Finland.
This follows the earlier shutdown of Hanasaari B in 2023, meaning both major coal power plants have closed within two years.
Together, these steps will reduce the city’s emissions by 43% and cut Finland’s national CO₂ emissions by 5%.
Mayor Juhana Vartiainen called the move “a bold signal of Helsinki’s climate leadership”. The city aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 – two decades ahead of the EU’s goal.
With coal gone, Helsinki’s heating and electricity will now come from electrified systems using heat pumps, electric boilers, sustainable bioenergy and renewable sources like wind, solar and hydropower.
Helen Ltd, the city’s energy utility, has invested in large-scale infrastructure including Europe’s largest electric boiler and the world’s biggest heat pump to ensure energy supply without fossil fuels.
Deputy Mayor Anni Sinnemäki said:
This is a much-needed step towards carbon neutrality. But our work doesn’t stop here – we’re also aiming for net zero by 2040 and carbon negativity beyond that.”
Looking to the future, Helsinki is also exploring green hydrogen.
A pilot project, the 3H2 – Helsinki Hydrogen Hub, aims to begin hydrogen production by 2026, tapping into Finland’s clean energy strengths and offering new opportunities for international investment.
