Stora Enso has set a target to continuously improve energy efficiency of its production as well as increase the use of non-fossil energy sources to cut down its operations-related CO2 emissions. In 2020, Wood Products division’s Baltic mills signed a hydro-based electricity contract which will cut the division’s fossil CO2 emissions by about one third.
“With this new energy source in use, it means that our units in Alytus, Imavere, Launkalne and Näpi deliver products with close to zero carbon from operations. In addition to fossil-free electricity, the mills produce their own heat based on renewable biomass,” says Uldis Deisons, Head of Production Baltic and Russia.
A commitment to combat global warming
Changing the energy source to fossil-free is well in line with the company’s commitment to combat global warming and to drive down fossil fuel use. Wood Products Baltic sawmills are certified according to the ISO 50001 energy management system since 2017. In order to comply with the European Energy Efficiency Directive and targets, the mills are challenged to continuously and systematically improve their energy efficiency.
“When looking at the development of the past year, I am happy to see that the whole division has been successful in reducing CO2 emissions. In 2019, our CO2 emissions were 44% lower than in the baseline year 2010 and Baltic mills’ new electricity contract is further improving the division’s CO2 performance,” says Project Manager Tomi Mallat.
Renewable energy for the future
The positive development has been achieved by changing direct fossil fuels such as oil and gas to renewable alternatives. “We have also strictly followed up that new technical solutions or investments would not include any fossil fuel consumption. In addition, we have shifted large amount of our electricity contracts to hydro, wind and bioenergy options,” Mallat continues. Wood Products division continues to monitor energy efficiency as the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources progresses.
