23.6.2026
Article originally published in 5.9.2024
Finess Energy is supplying an electric boiler for steam production at the plant. The project is expected to generate cost savings for Arla, help reduce emissions, and enhance operational reliability.
Arla Oy is a Finnish dairy company that is part of the international Arla Foods Group. Arla has a total of nine dairies, including partner dairies. The largest dairy is in Söderkulla, Sipoo, which is also home to the company’s product development department and headquarters. Arla’s goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its own operations (scope 1 & 2) by 63% by 2030 compared to 2015 levels. The key measures include improving energy efficiency and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
“For example, in transportation, we aim for our own logistics to use only fossil-free fuel and for emissions in our partner companies’ logistics to also decrease by 2030. At the same time, we are doing everything we can to reduce waste. We also encourage our dairy farms to reduce emissions,” says Saara Azbel, Arla’s Head of Sustainability.
A project is currently underway in Söderkulla, with Finess Energy serving as the main contractor. Finess is supplying an electric boiler for the plant’s steam production. The delivery is being carried out on a turnkey basis, with Finess, as the main contractor, responsible not only for the boiler delivery but also for the new boiler building, the system’s process equipment, the new medium-voltage switchgear, and the electrical automation, including design and installation. Arla uses the steam produced by the boiler to heat buildings and in the production of UHT milk.
“The electric boiler significantly reduces emissions from our own operations. Once it is completed, our production facility will run entirely on renewable energy, except for brief maintenance shutdowns. At the same time, we are achieving the Arla Group’s 63% emissions reduction target for its own operations well ahead of schedule, and according to our preliminary calculations, we will even exceed it,” comments Arla’s Procurement Manager Antti Tapiola.
“Finess was selected as our partner based on a request for proposals and because we wanted to purchase our own electric boiler rather than buying energy as a service from a subcontractor. “We expect this project to bring cost savings to our company, contribute to reducing emissions, and strengthen our operational reliability,” Tapiola continues.
The project has progressed well. “We are on schedule and within budget. We hope the project will continue to proceed smoothly without delays so that it can be completed in the spring of 2025. We also hope for a smooth transition to operation,” Tapiola commented.
The plant’s electrical connection will also be upgraded this fall, which will improve the reliability of the power supply and the conditions for using renewable energy. With the new electrical connection and the electric boiler set to be completed in the spring, the natural gas required for steam production can be replaced with renewable electricity generated from hydropower.
Arla is constantly developing its operations and making investments. At the beginning of the year, the company invested in new production facilities at its Sipoo plant to increase capacity and better meet demand for products such as snacks.
“Sustainable development is a key focus of our Future26 strategy, and we are constantly implementing solutions that reduce emissions across the value chain. The purchase of the steam boiler is an important part of this overall effort,” says Azbel.