"We are well on schedule in terms of energy saving goals"
The city of Äänekoski is involved in the municipal energy agreement and was the first in Central Finland to join the Hinku network
The city of Äänekoski is aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030. The goal is achievable, but requires committed work not only from the city but also from companies and residents.
The city of Äänekoski has been doing good climate work over the years on a long-term basis.
- We are pioneers, and it's not just about the coming winter. At Äänekoski, energy saving issues are strongly present and involved in all activities, environment manager Hanna Ahonen says.
Äänekoski joined the Municipal Energy Efficiency Agreement in 2013 and the Hinku network in 2019. Both networks are voluntary. By investing in climate work, financial savings are achieved, but at the same time the well-being of the community is increased.
The city of Äänekoski has increased the use of renewable energy, among other things.
- Solar power plants, or panels, are being built every year and they are placed on the roofs of buildings. Air heat pumps have been installed in electric heating facilities, and a few large halls have also been built with them, the largest is up to 2 square meters. The oil heating of schools in Koivisto, Hietama and Honkola has been replaced by pellet power plants, energy engineer Juha Saari says.
- These same measures can be implemented by city dwellers in their own homes.
Energy efficiency is climate action
Äänekoski has been involved in the Municipal Energy Efficiency Agreement (KETS) since 2013. The current, i.e. the second, agreement was signed with the Ministry of Labor and Economy in 2017 until 2025. By joining the agreement, Äänekoski has voluntarily committed to reduce and improve all of its energy consumption.
- The conclusion of the agreement means, above all, responsibility in energy use and especially the reduction of carbon dioxide from greenhouse gases. Carbon dioxide emissions from energy use are constantly monitored with the help of annual CO2 reports, Hanna Ahonen says.
Upon joining, the joining municipality sets an indicative energy efficiency (MWh) goal for the period 2017–2025.
- The calculated energy saving target for 2025 is 7,5 percent of the 2016 level, and the intermediate target for 2020 was four percent, says Saari.
- In the Äänekoski city agreement, measures are recorded on how to reach the goals. The agreement contains an action plan and energy saving targets, monitoring of their achievement and identified risks in achieving the targets. Energy efficiency is also taken into account, for example, in public procurement, planning, traffic planning and construction.
Attention is also paid to the introduction of renewable energy sources. One of the goals is that this year 2021, fossil fuels are replaced by more energy-efficient other solutions.
- The city no longer uses oil heating anywhere, since even the last school in Hietama switched to another form of heating last year, says Saari.
- Within the framework of the agreement, we are well on schedule, Saari states with satisfaction.
The city of Äänekoski's own energy efficiency working group meets regularly and monitors the implementation of the action plan. The agreement also includes reporting on completed activities. Now that additional cost-saving measures are being taken in the coming heating season, the working group will meet more often.
In the entire country, there are 714 companies that have joined the Energy Efficiency Agreement, 7 workplaces, and 136 municipalities and municipal associations. The energy use of the parties that have joined covers almost 123 percent of Finland's total energy use. Those committed to the agreement carry out thousands of energy efficiency measures every year: thanks to the nearly 60 energy efficiency improvement measures carried out between 2017 and 2020, 15 TWh of energy is saved annually. The amount corresponds to the entire year's energy consumption of more than 000 electrically heated small houses.
Heavy drizzle reduces emissions
In 2011, the city of Äänekoski became the first municipality in Central Finland to join the Carbon Neutral Municipalities or Hinku network. The goal of those belonging to the network is an 80 percent emission reduction by 2030 from the 2007 level.
By joining the Hinku municipality, Äänekoski wanted to show that even an industrial city can develop sustainably. At the same time, Äänekoski has acted as a trend setter for other municipalities and cities in Central Finland.
The network currently includes more than 80 municipalities and five provinces. In addition to municipalities and provinces committed to ambitious emission reductions, the network includes companies offering climate-friendly products and services and energy and climate experts. Access requires certain Hinku criteria to be met.
Ball forward!
The city of Äänekoski is challenging the neighboring municipalities of Kannonkoski, Konnevesi, Lauka, Saarijärvi, Uurainen, Vesanto and Viitasaari to join the Hinku network and the Municipal Energy Efficiency Agreement (KETS), if any of the municipalities are not yet involved. Will one of the neighbors take up the challenge?
The city of Äänekoski participates in the communication campaign of Central Finland's climate week by publishing a series of information on the climate actions of the city of Äänekoski on October 10-14.10.2022, XNUMX. The city of Äänekoski also wants to challenge its personnel, residents, companies and other parties to joint climate talks. A sustainable environment is also one of the most important goals in Äänekoski's city strategy.
For more information:
Environmental manager Hanna Ahonen, 0400 893 683, hanna.ahonen@aanekoski.fi
Energy engineer Juha Saari, 040 572 9182, juha.saari@aanekoski.fi
News published 10.10.2022