Corporate Responsibility

Sustainable energy production 

We aim at developing the sustainability of our operations and analyse the environmental impacts comprehensively. We comply with the regulations outlined in the environmental permit, relating to, for instance, different measurements, technology, and treatment of residual materials.  

Our management system has been certified according to the environment standard ISO 14001. Identification of the environmental aspects forms the basis for the environmental plan which creates the framework for, for instance, improving the use of chemicals used in flue gas treatment and promoting the development of circular economy by participating actively in different development projects within circular economy. 

Monitoring air emissions is of key importance in assessing environmental impacts. Air emissions of the plant are monitored continuously, and the measuring results in 2023 are illustrated below.  The whole pie charts illustrate the limit values outlined in the environmental permit, and the grey areas marked inside the pie charts indicate the actual concentrations of the impurities. The measuring results indicate that flue gas purification is on a high level in Westenergy’s plant. At the end of 2023, new stricter emission limits came into effect. We had prepared for this change with the flue gas scrubber that was installed to the plant a few years ago. The scrubber enables removing especially acidic impurities efficiently from the flue gases.  

Our goal is that already in the near future, we are able to capture carbon dioxide from the flue gas flow. This will reduce the carbon footprint of the plant significantly.

Our goal is that already in the near future, we are able to capture carbon dioxide from the flue gas flow. This will reduce the carbon footprint of the plant significantly. The CO2 measurements carried out last year indicated that the calculation factor provided by Statistics Finland for calculating CO2 emissions is well in line with the actual measuring results.  

The results of the continuous measurements in 2023 

Jatkuvatoimisten mittausten tulokset vuonna 2023

The results of the non-recurrent measurements in 2023

In addition to air emissions, we monitor the consistence of the condensation water formed in the flue gas treatment process as well as the consistence of the surface and groundwater in the area. No significant changes have occurred in the consistence of the condensation water or in the quality of the surface and groundwater during the plant operation.  

The impacts of the operation on trees and other vegetation near the plant are carefully examined. There is an occurrence of a rare lichen, naked kidney lichen, found on the nearby conservation area, and the occurrence is monitored regularly by an independent observer. There have been no significant changes in the occurrence of the naked kidney lichen during the plant’s operation. Westenergy participates also in a more extensive bioindicator study which collects information on the impacts of air emissions on vegetation. In addition, Westenergy takes part in the air quality monitoring program together with other major industrial companies located in Vaasa and Mustasaari. 

Residual materials 

The residual materials are treated according to the regulations outlined in the environmental permit, and the utilisation of residues is promoted. 

The residual materials of energy recovery are bottom ash, flue gas treatment residue (APC) and boiler ash. The residual materials are treated according to the regulations outlined in the environmental permit, and the utilisation of residues is promoted.  

Last year some 19 600 tonnes of mineral fraction was utilised as ground construction material.

Bottom ash consists of ash and unburned materials such as metal. Large metal items are removed from the bottom ash already at the WtE plant and are recycled. The material remaining after the metals are thoroughly sorted out, is called mineral fraction. It can be used in ground construction to replace virgin raw materials such as sand and gravel. Last year some 19 600 tonnes of mineral fraction was utilised as ground construction material. Our co-operation partner in treating bottom ash is Suomen Erityisjäte Oy.  

Since the ash refinery started operating a few years ago, the CO2 emissions of ash treatment have reduced significantly.

Flue gas treatment residue (APC) consists of chemicals used in flue gas treatment and impurities attached to them. Boiler ash gets stuck on the heat exchange surfaces of the boiler. Our co-operation partner in treating these residues is Fortum Waste Solutions Oy. In 2023 some 4500 tonnes of flue gas treatment residue and some 1600 tonnes of boiler ash were delivered to further treatment. Most of these residual materials were treated in Fortum’s ash refiner, and a part of the residues were stabilised with cement and landfilled. Since the ash refinery started operating a few years ago, the CO2 emissions of ash treatment have reduced significantly. Moreover, landfilling requires significantly less space than before. Possibilities to utilise residual materials are being studied, and currently, for instance, the possibilities to capture metals from fine side streams is of interest to researchers.  

The entire staff participates in improving occupational health and safety

Our health & safety objective is to prevent occupational accidents and to improve the work environment and conditions. No occupational accidents leading to absence took place at Westenergy in 2023, and Westenergy has been an accident-free place to work for almost four years.  

Last year staff members reported altogether 70 safety observations.

It is important that the entire staff participates in improving occupational safety. Last year staff members reported altogether 70 safety observations. Safety observations are observations about defects or incidents that can potentially cause an occupational accident. Safety observations are handled daily, and each situation and the root cause are assessed in detail to improve safety in the future.  

The goal at Westenergy is that every staff member has a valid first aid and general occupational safety training. Additionally, everyone working at Westenergy’s site must complete safety induction before carrying any work at the plant site.   

Safety briefings have proven to be a good tool in improving occupational safety. A safety briefing is a short meeting focusing on a current topic. Last year, altogether 18 safety briefings were organised, relating, for instance, to a safe way to use the electric truck and lifting hooks.  

Westenergy’s health and safety committee gathered four times in 2023. The committee makes recommendations for the employer to improve the health and safety of the staff, ensures that the health and safety programme is applied, and co-operates actively with occupational health care. Last year the safety committee updated the company’s risk assessment that includes all the operations and areas of the company.  

The previous year, we were able to start using the new un-manned truck scale and temporary storage facilities, and we were able to get valuable experience on using the new facilities and operations. Overall, the new operations work well. We have identified areas of improvement, for instance, in the functionality of the access control system, and we’re planning to focus on these matters this year.  

Regarding occupational safety, the annual service stop of the plant forms a challenge as there can be even 120 people working in different places of the site at the same time. The pressure to finish work on time can be a challenge for occupational safety. Last year the service stop proceeded well, and no accidents took place at the plant site. Our co-operation partner in observing safety and organising traffic control during the service stop was Rescue Team Finland Oy. We have worked systematically to improve safety during the service stops, and our co-operation partners have become familiar with our safety practices during the years.  

Last year an organisational change took place, and safety management was separated from other job descriptions. At the end of the year, Janne Suorauha, who had previously worked with the access control and delivery reception took the overall responsibility for safety management at Westenergy as H&S Engineer.  

Westenergy participates in the Institute of Occupational Health’s 0 Accidents forum which is a network of workplaces that aims at spreading good practices to improve occupational health and safety. The forum grants classifications to companies that are based on their level of success and progress in improving occupational health and safety. Westenergy has been granted the highest rating In World’s Forefront of Occupational Safety three times in a row.   

We encourage employees to develop their professional skills and knowledge 

In 2023 there were altogether 43 employees at Westenergy. In proportion to the number of employees, Westenergy employs a lot of summer workers, and last year Westenergy employed about 10 summer workers. Summer workers substituted the permanent staff in production and maintenance and worked in the maintenance of the outdoor area of the plant. Many of the summer workers are students, and we co-operate with students also, for instance, in the form of thesis work projects. Last year two theses were completed of which topics dealt with updating communications materials and the utilisation possibilities of the condensate water of the waste to energy plant.  

You can find the list of theses written about Westenergy on our website!  

In 2023 Westenergy’s staff members participated in altogether 75 training days. 

Westenergy operates in a sector that is constantly changing and developing. The technology and the systems used are also developing rapidly, creating new possibilities to improve operations at the same time. Maintaining and developing the staff’s professional skills is, therefore, very important. The educational needs of the employees and employer are mapped out annually in development discussions, forming individual educational plans. In 2023 Westenergy’s staff members participated in altogether 75 training days.  

In 2023-2024 a comprehensive occupational well-being enquiry was carried out, consisting of a survey, personal interviews, and occasions for different employee groups for reviewing the results. The survey indicated that in general, employees are satisfied with their work and employer. Areas of development were also identified, for instance, in internal communication. The enquiry also revealed that remote work has reduced the amount of interaction at workplace, and this can have a negative effect on working atmosphere and team spirit.  

Recreational activities are important for the well-being of the employees and help create a positive working atmosphere. At Westenergy, recreational activities group plans and organises activities for the staff. In 2023 the staff members were able to test their skills in indoor wall climbing. There is also a versatile gym at the plant site available for the staff.  

Vuoden 2023 aikana Westenergyllä työskenteli yhteensä 47 henkilöä. Westenergy työllistää henkilöstömääräänsä suhteutettuna paljon kesätyöntekijöitä, ja viime vuonna kesätöihin palkattiin kymmenkunta henkilöä. Kesätyöntekijät tekivät sijaisuuksia laitoksen tuotannossa ja kunnossapidossa sekä työskentelivät viheralueiden kunnossapidossa. Suuri osa kesätyöntekijöistä on opiskelijoita, ja teemme yhteistyötä opiskelijoiden kanssa myös esimerkiksi opinnäytetöiden muodossa. Viime vuonna valmistuneet opinnäytetyöt käsittelivät viestintämateriaalien uudistamistarpeita sekä jäte-energialaitoksen lauhdeveden hyötykäyttömahdollisuuksia.

Westenergy toimii alalla, joka muuttuu ja kehittyy nopeasti. Myös teknologia ja käytössä olevat järjestelmät kehittyvät jatkuvasti samalla luoden uusia mahdollisuuksia toiminnan kehittämiseen. Henkilöstön ammattitaidon ylläpitäminen ja kehittäminen onkin siksi hyvin tärkeää. Vuosittain kehityskeskusteluiden yhteydessä kartoitetaan työntekijän kouluttautumistarpeet ja laaditaan henkilökohtainen koulutussuunnitelma. Vuonna 2023 Westenergyn henkilöstölle kertyi yhteensä 75 koulutuspäivää.

Vuonna 2023 Westenergyn henkilöstölle kertyi yhteensä 75 koulutuspäivää.

Vuodenvaihteessa 2023–2024 toteutettiin henkilöstön työhyvinvointikartoitus, joka koostui sähköisestä lomakkeesta, henkilökohtaisista haastatteluista sekä henkilöstöryhmittäin järjestetyistä läpikäyntitilaisuuksista. Kartoitus osoitti, että henkilöstön työtyytyväisyys on Westenergyllä korkealla tasolla. Kehityskohteina tunnistettiin esimerkiksi haasteet tiedonkulussa sekä etätyön tekemisestä aiheutuva vuorovaikutuksen vähentyminen työkavereiden kanssa, mikä voi heikentää yhteishenkeä.

Kartoitus osoitti, että henkilöstön työtyytyväisyys on Westenergyllä korkealla tasolla.

Virkistystoiminta on tärkeää työhyvinvoinnin kannalta ja edesauttaa luomaan yhteishenkeä henkilöstön keskuudessa. Westenergyllä työhyvinvointiryhmä suunnittelee vuosittain mielekästä yhteistä tekemistä. Vuonna 2023 henkilöstö pääsi testaamaan taitojaan seinäkiipeilyn merkeissä. Henkilöstön käytössä on myös monipuolinen kuntosali.

Human resources in numbers in