Valmet to retrofit automation at KSS Energia’s Verla 2 hydropower plant in Finland

Valmet Oyj trade press release, February 19, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. EET

Valmet will modernize the automation system at KSS Energia’s Verla 2 hydropower plant in Kouvola, Finland. The Valmet DNA Hydro Turbine Automation will replace an obsolete third-party system on the site. The new automation system plays a crucial role in improving the operational reliability of the hydropower plant.

The order was included in Valmet’s orders received of the fourth quarter 2024. The value of the order will not be disclosed. The delivery will be taken over by the customer in December 2025.

“We have developed a long-term partnership with Valmet across our other hydropower plants. As Valmet has successfully retrofitted hydro turbine automation with Valmet DNA at our Siikakoski hydropower plant, we aimed to implement a similar solution for the Verla plant, too. A unified automation system across all sites, including engineering tools and data collection, ensures that only one system requires future upgrades,” says Jukka Rämä, Senior Vice President, Asset Management, KSS Energia.

“This hydro turbine automation delivery marks another significant step for Valmet in strengthening its position in Finland’s hydropower market. The previous projects between KSS Energia and Valmet have been highly successful, and the new case is expected to be another valuable step in our cooperation,” says Tom Bäckman, Sales Manager, Automation Systems business line, Valmet.

Originally built to meet the needs of the local wood processing industry, the Verla hydropower plant (Verla 1 and Verla 2) produces approximately 15,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually. This is enough to power about 3,000 average households.

Valmet is to retrofit automation at KSS Energia’s Verla 2 hydropower plant in Finland.

Delivery’s technical information

The delivery includes a Valmet DNA Hydro Turbine Automation that will be connected to the Hinkismäki power station. All KSS Energia hydropower plants are operated from a central control room managed by the Norwegian technology supplier Volue.

About the customer

KSS Energia Oy is a diversified Finnish energy group owned by the city of Kouvola. KSS Energia sells, distributes and produces energy, develops sustainable energy solutions and offers contracting services. The group's turnover in 2023 totaled EUR 197 million, and it employs nearly 250 energy experts.

VALMET
Corporate Communications

For further information, please contact:
Tom Bäckman, Sales Manager, Automation Systems business line, Valmet, tel. +358 50 317 4355

Valmet has a global customer base across various process industries. We are a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation, and services for the pulp, paper, and energy industries. With our automation and flow control solutions, we serve an even broader base of process industries. Our more than 19,000 professionals worldwide work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers’ performance forward – every day.

The company has over 225 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement, sustainability, and renewal. Valmet’s net sales in 2024 were approximately EUR 5.4 billion.

Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki, and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.

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